The Irish Kidney Association (IKA) has expressed concern that 2014 was the second lowest yearly rate of deceased organ donors in recent years, and has also raised the issue of the adequacy of kidney transplant facilities at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

There were 63 deceased organ donors recorded last year, the lowest number since 2010. This compares to 86 in 2013, according to latest statistics.

The IKA ponted out that for the second year in a row, the target of 50 living donor kidney transplants was not achieved despite the availability of the living donors and potential recipients.

The Association expressed concern that the infrastructure in Beaumont Hospital was not adequate to advance kidney transplantation. The hospital had failed to commission an extra operating theatre and was now short of transplant surgeons, it pointed out.

Despite the low deceased organ donor figures in 2014, the Mater Hospital is to be congratulated on a record number of transplants, 31 lungs and 18 hearts, totalling 49, the IKA said.

Liver transplantation numbers were down in 2014 by 20% on the previous year, at 44, which must also be a concern for St Vincent's Hospital's patients, the Association said.

It added that the commencement of an audit of organ donor activity inside the country's intensive care facilities was essential. "The Association shares the concerns on how slow the progress has been for such an essential data project."