Health Services in the Shannonside Northern Sound region are catering for a significantly bigger population compared to just 6 years ago.
Figures released in the Dail show Community Healthcare Organisation 8, which includes county Longford, has seen an increase in population of over 10 percent.
CHO 2 which includes Roscommon, Galway and Mayo had a 7.3% population increase.
While CHO 1 which covers Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal had a 6.4% increase on the 2016 census.
Services in the region such as emergency departments, inpatient admissions and various therapies are reporting either major overcrowding or long waiting lists.
Meanwhile, The HSE and Department of Health will be asked to explain how the health service can be run next year.
Representatives of both are appearing before the Oireachtas Health Committee against a backdrop of a recruitment freeze and lower than expected budget funding.
