The cabinet sub-committee on COVID is meeting around now this evening to discuss a date for the re-opening of schools.

It's expected students will return to classrooms from March 1st on a phased basis.

Some students won't return to the classroom until April.

Senior Ministers are meeting to discuss the re-opening of the economy and what that might look like over the next few months.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn will update the government on NPHET's advice.

That's likely to be a phased return of schools from March 1st, starting with Leaving Cert students and junior infants, senior infants and first class.

NPHET doesn't want a million people all moving about to schools and back from the start of March, so other classes will be phased in.

There will be reviews every two or three weeks, meaning some students won't return to the classroom until April.

There's some concerns from Ministers about whether construction can return next month, and NPHET will advise on this.

There may also be an update from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee on the priority list for vaccinations, and whether groups like family carers can be bumped up the list.

Discussions this evening will also feed into the updated living with COVID plan due to be released next week.