An overwhelming number of calls to the Covid Digital Cert call centre has led to a second helpline being established by the Department of Health.
However, the new number will be focused on dealing with urgent queries, with only people who are travelling abroad during the month of July requested to contact the centre this week.
The new number is 1800 807 008.
The second freephone number established today will cater for a significantly higher number of calls, according to the Department of Health.
Minister of State Robert Troy said the new helpline will be able to handle 22,000 calls and that people will not get a call failed message when attempting to get through.
Almost two million people began receiving their EU Digital Covid Certs by post and email last week, but the call centre did not open fully until yesterday.
The Department said in a statement: "Due to high demand on the existing Digital Covid Certificate freephone number, a second freephone number has been established today that will cater for a significantly higher number of calls. The new number is 1800 807 008.
"Increased numbers of agents are available to answer your queries in relation to your vaccination certificate and to allow you to request your recovery certificate.
"The call centre will be focused on dealing with urgent queries in the short-term, so we are requesting that only those with an urgent query contact the centre this week i.e. those who are travelling in July. You can request your certificate at any stage over the coming weeks.
"Queries in relation to a certificate of a Covid-19 test obtained privately can be directed to your test provider."
It follows widespread frustration from hundreds of people trying to get through on the existing 1800 851 504 number.
Monday marked the return of international travel within the EU as the government issued Digital Certs to people who were vaccinated and had recovered from Covid-19 across the country.
However, there were widespread reports of annoyed callers who were left waiting hours to get through to the helpline which was flooded with calls.
It comes as the Irish Mirror revealed that just 30 staff are manning the country’s busy Covid call centre.
An official said 30 staff have been recruited, rising to 90 “in the coming months”.
The call centre was already handling close to 10,000 calls a day last week when it was open for emergencies only.
