Urgent action has been called for to avoid serious social problems in the Galway village of Oranmore, where the population is expected to double in the next six years.
Local residents say Oranmore is being failed by the lack of amenities and facilities as well as a shortage of school spaces.
Gráinne Cotter, chairwoman of the Oranhill Residents Association, told a specially convened meeting that population projections suggested there would be upwards of 12,000 people living in the Oranmore area by 2012.
That was almost twice the current population of 6,800 and even that figure was conservative, given that it took just 10 of the 26 townlands of Oranmore into consideration, she said.
"If you know the population of Oranmore is expected to increase to 12,000 in just over five years, surely there are plans in place to deal with such a population increase, for if there are not, you are looking at serious social problems in the area," she told the recent meeting.
It was attended by Fianna Fáil Minister of State Frank Fahey, Fine Gael TD Pádraic McCormack and local councillors. It was called to highlight a number concerns among residents in Oranhill and Oranmore, including a lack of playing fields, shortage of schools and the poor state of the Maree Road.
Ms Cotter also said she would love to ask Minister for the Gaeltacht Éamon Ó Cuív how there were seven health centres in his Connemara base and none in Oranmore.
Matt Ó Brádaigh, Gaelscoil de hÍde principal, said pupils faced being turned away for the first time unless the Office of Public Works speeded up the process of approving a new site.
