A change that would mean women would need to take a smear test every five years has been delayed until 2021.
Cervical cancer tests were due to this year change to screening for human papillomavirus (HPV), which would mean screening would be required once every five years, instead of the current three.
However, the Ministry of Health has today announced a "phased approach", meaning the change won't likely happen for a number of years.
Dr Jane O'Hallahan, clinical director of the Ministry's National Screening Unit, said a date for transitioning testing to HPV primary screening was still to be decided, "however we're working towards commencing from 2021".
"For human papillomavirus primary screening to be safely introduced the clinical pathways must be supported by a fit-for-purpose IT solution. Simply adapting the current IT system is not a viable option."