The Minister for Health has said he remains “very hopeful” coronavirus restrictions in Kildare, Laois and Offaly can be lifted next week.

Stephen Donnelly was speaking after around 1,100 new cases of the virus were recorded in Ireland in the past two weeks.

The highest figure since early May was recorded on Saturday when officials announced 200 new cases – including 81 in Kildare.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Minister Donnelly said he was “very hopeful” the two-week in the three midlands counties can be lifted when it expires on Sunday.

“The two weeks was brought in as a recommendation by NPHET. It was less than the three weeks previously because obviously we are learning about this virus all the time and trying to get more and more targeted about what needs to happen,” he said.

“NPHET is meeting today; they will meet later on this week and they will make a recommendation but so far, my hope is that, as of midnight this Sunday, that those restrictions will be relaxed.

“But as always, we will listen very carefully to the public health doctors.”

Minister Donnelly said the Government has ‘four big priorities’ for the virus response in the coming months – public health, reopening schools, reopening healthcare and protecting jobs.

He said the State, employers and the public must do everything they can to suppress the virus with further restrictions only brought in as a last resort.

“Jobs is not a direct consideration I guess for public health but the economy and jobs are critical as well because second waves of restrictions could have really devastating impacts across the country,” he said.

“NPHET advises from a public health perspective, Government takes that advice and then has to make decisions with the entirety of the country in mind.”

“In Ireland, what is really concerning the public health doctors is that it is popping up all around the country,” he said.

“The next three weeks are really, really important in terms of protecting the economy, getting the schools open, getting the hospitals open,” he said.

“Employers have a role to play in making sure that all of the infection controls are in place and the face coverings are being used.

“But more important than any of that is that each of us has a responsibility. Let’s listen to the public health doctors, use the face coverings and follow the social distancing and the other rules we are being asked to follow.”

Minister Donnelly said officials “move very quickly” to suppress the outbreaks in Kildare, Laois and Offaly and insisted that “lives have been saved” as a result of the restrictions.