There is a backlog of 60,000 woman waiting for results.
The HSE has had to issue an apology after it confirmed there is a backlog of 60,000 people that are still waiting for smear test results.
According to
RTÉ's Morning Ireland, the upsurge - which is in relation to the CervicalCheck crisis - means figures have grown exponentially in the past few months.
When the scandal was uncovered, the Government issued a statement saying that they would fund re-tests for anyone who had concerns about previous smear tests.
However, with 42,469 repeat smears, or out of cycle tests being conducted between May and September, 86,210 are currently waiting on results.
The HSE said: "We would like to apologise to those patients affected and assure them that everything possible is being done to improve the situation."
It continued: "As part of our on-going negotiations with the laboratories we are trying to source additional screening capacity within the laboratory network, which would help improve the turnaround time. We hope to be able to announce some additional capacity in the coming weeks."
