Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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300. To ask the Minister for Health the efforts being made to reduce waiting times of circa 17 weeks for women participating in smear tests in circumstances in which they have been advised of abnormalities and have had issues with tests previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40954/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Following a Government decision on 1 May, I asked CervicalCheck to make the necessary arrangements to provide that any woman who has had a CervicalCheck smear test, and whose GP considers that they should have a further test, to access such a further test without charge. CervicalCheck laboratory activity has thus been significantly above normal levels. This is a result both of out-of-cycle smears and increased uptake generally. This has impacted turnaround times for results of smear tests.

The HSE has advised that every effort is being made to ensure that tests are processed as quickly as possible, having regard to the high standards required for testing. In relation to the specific query made, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.