The Health Minister says the backlog in relation to CervicalCheck is starting to be cleared in some labs - but admitted the waiting time for women is still "far too long".

Simon Harris was responding to questions from opposition TDs - who claimed his decision to offer free re-tests for women with concerns over the cervical screening scandal was the cause of long delays in testing.

It was claimed that the backlog could take a year to clear.

Minister Harris said that wasn't the case - but acknowledged waiting times are still lengthy.

He observed: "At the moment, the average wait is 22 weeks - that is far too long for women. I understand that is causing significant concern for women.

"I want to see that reduced - extra capacity is the key to that. I do need to point out that not all of the backlog is due to repeat smears - there were other women who entered the programme for the first time... which is of course a good thing."

He stressed the HSE is working 'extremely hard' in trying to find additional capacity to help resolve the situation.

The Dáil heard claims that Minister Harris was warned the decision to offer repeat tests would put a major strain on the system.

Minister Harris insisted he hadn't ignored his officials' advice - and said it was impossible to estimate how many women would take up the offer.

Fianna Fáil's Lisa Chambers claimed the Minister still has questions to answer.

She said: "When will the backlog be cleared, minister? For a woman presenting with a smear test today, when she will receive her results?

"My understanding is that at the current capacity it's going to take in excess of one year to clear that backlog."

Minister Harris stressed that the backlog is beginning to decrease in some labs, with levels beginning to return to more normal levels.  

However, he acknowledged that it has not decreased in all labs.