A total of 81 families donated the organs of their deceased loved ones last year, a new report has shown.

According to Organ Donation Transplant Ireland's 2018 Annual Report, the generosity of these 81 families led to 234 life-saving transplant operations. These included 18 heart transplants and 127 kidney transplants.

A further 40 living donors donated their kidneys, bringing the total number of organ transplants in 2018 to 274.

"We experienced a consistent rate of organ donation and transplant in 2018, which reflects positively on the generosity of Irish society and the professionalism of the intensive care, theatre, medical and nursing staff," commented Prof Jim Egan, director of Organ Donation Transplant Ireland.

The report showed that during the five-year period, 2014-2018, 1,168 organs were donated by deceased donors, while 214 kidneys came from living donors, giving a total of 1,382.

Prof Egan pointed out that currently, there are around 600 people waiting for life-saving transplant operations in Ireland and people are three times more likely to need a transplant than to be an organ donor.

"We will continue to champion organ donation and encourage all to speak to their loved ones, so they let their wishes be known in relation to organ donation, because organ donation saves lives," he added.

The full 2018 report can be viewed here.