Health Minister Simon Harris has said an estimated 4,800 people would have died if the coronavirus was not suppressed here.
He has appealed to people to 'stay the course' of the COVID-19 restrictions.
He said that based on modelling from March 27th, 3,500 lives have now been saved.
Speaking in the Dáil, he said: "If the epidemic continued at that rate, our modelling suggests we would have 2,200 people today, seriously ill in critical care units across our country.
"Our modelling also shows that today, on the 30th of April, if that trend had of continued, 4,800 people would have lost their lives from COVID-19."
"But thanks to the incredible efforts of the Irish people our modelling suggests that we - that you, the Irish people - have now saved over 3,500 lives.
"That is 3,500 reasons to stay at home, 3,500 reasons to stay the course and 3,500 reasons to keep with us on this journey."
Our modelling work estimated 4,800 people would have died today if we had not supressed #COVID19 in our community. Sadly, 1,190 have lost their lives today. Thanks to the efforts of the Irish people, over 3,500 lives have been saved. That is 3,500 reasons to #StayAtHome
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 30, 2020
He added: "We have made significant progress, but we cannot let that progress mask the current reality.
"Up to 40 people a day are still being hospitalised with COVID-19, between three to four people every day are being admitted to Intensive Care Units".
"We must finish the job - if you want to give this country the very best chance of success, we must continue with the work".
His comments came after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar earlier said any easing of restrictions would be done in a "stepwise, tiered manner."
He said further details would be revealed on Friday - but played down any major changes.
"People have a right to know when things will start going back to normal. I can inform the Dáil that a plan is being developed to ease the lock down, a roadmap to re-open Ireland.
"A roadmap to what will be a new normal.
"Unfortunately, for those who would like an immediate return to a pre-COVID world, the easement of the current restrictions will be slow and gradual and will be done in a stepwise, tiered manner.
"It will require a continuous effort to suppress and control this virus.
"Therefore, the lifting of restrictions will not necessarily mirror the manner in which they were escalated."
