A number of women will have to undergo another smear test after tests carried out last year have expired, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has confirmed.
Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Mr Varadkar confirmed that repeat tests will have to be issued due to the high number of patients on the current waiting list.
Mr Varadkar said that although some women have yet to be informed, he did confirm that some women have already been informed.
The news comes as the current waiting lists have significantly increased, with some women waiting over six months for a test.