The number of cervical cancer screenings are down over 50 percent compared with last year, as a result of the pandemic.
An Oireachtas committee heard that staffing issues and interruptions caused by Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the provision of cancer services.
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health heard that cervical screenings between January and November are down 54 percent on last year.
In total, 117,000 women were screened in that period, with 24,000 women in last month alone.
Clinical Director of Cervical Check Dr Noirín Russel says the HSE will not be able to catch up on the time lost as a result of the pandemic.
The Irish Cancer Society cited staffing issues as a major problem facing the care of patients.
This year, 26 oncology nurses were employed. Professor Risteard O Loaide of the national cancer control programme says plans are being made to employ more.
Elsewhere cancer surgeries are back to 100% capacity but Profesor O Laoide pointed out that, much like with cervical screening, it's not possible to catch up on lost time.
