NPHET will meet today to consider its advice to the Government on the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions from next Monday.
Business and hospitality groups are calling for clarity, amid speculation the reopening of indoor hospitality could be delayed.
Under previous proposals, indoor dining in pubs and restaurants would be allowed to resume from July 5th.
However, there's growing concern about the rising levels of the Delta variant, which is more transmissible.
While a decision was not expected until Thursday, the Taoiseach has now said Cabinet will make its final decision early this week instead.
Ministers believe a delay would allow more people to be fully vaccinated before the Delta variant becomes the dominant strain.
Groups such as the Restaurants Association of Ireland and publican groups have expressed their frustration over a potential delay.
They want a decision as soon as possible, so businesses have time to prepare if there is another delay.
However, several immunologists and health experts have said there's now a strong case for delaying the reopening, due to the Delta variant concerns.
There are also growing calls for the AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccines to be used in younger people, as well as for different vaccines to be 'mixed' to speed up the rollout.
