The smear results of around 200 women have gone out of date.
The tests detected HPV but did not undergo further examination within the required 42 days.
The women affected will be contacted this week and will need to be re-tested.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has apologised and says the tests expired because of COVID-19 restrictions at their CervicalCheck lab in Santry in Dublin.
It says it has been dealing with an unprecedented number of samples in the first half of this year.
Cervical cancer is a rare outcome of HPV infection.
However when HPV is found, the same test sample is sent for a further test to see are any abnormal cells present.
In these cases, the samples expired before the second test could be done.
The HSE says it is arranging for these women to have a second sample taken within three months of their first test, as per best practice.
"It is important to note that cervical cancer is a rare outcome of a HPV infection, and it takes 10-15 years for cervical cancer to develop", it says.
"All of the repeat tests are being prioritised, we are also contacting their sample takers to ensure they know to prioritise these particular samples."
It adds that this does not affect all women who had a cervical screening test during this time.
It only affects those who are being contacted and who had HPV found in their sample.
Anyone seeking further information can contact the National Screening Service at 1800-454-555
Reporting by: Stephanie Rohan
