Almost 6,000 people over the age of 75 have spent more than 24 hours in emergency departments so far this year.
The worst affected hospital was University Hospital Limerick, where 838 elderly patients faced long waiting times.
The HSE's own target aims to have everyone aged 75 and older either discharged or admitted within 24 hours of registration at an ED.
Fianna Fáil Health Spokesperson Billy Kelleher says even the target is "pathetic in itself and it is setting the bar way too low".
He suggested that "long waiting times should be an exception".
The latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) show that more than 400 people around the country were on trolleys or waiting for a bed yesterday.
The organisation's figures from the first seven months of the year revealed a record number of patients (57,674) waiting for a bed after admission.
