The reopening of schools could begin in less than two weeks.

Health officials will this evening advise senior ministers on the elements of the economy they believe can be safely reopened in the coming months.

The advice is likely to have a big impact on Irish life over the coming months and will feed into the new ‘Living with COVID-19’ plan due to be published next week.

The Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has warned that any easing of restrictions is likely to be extremely limited, with schools and construction both in line for a phased reopening

Schools are likely to return on phased basis from March 1st, with junior infants, senior infants and Leaving Cert student likely to be first back.

The reopening will be reviewed every two weeks.

Yesterday a deal was agreed on the form of this year’s Leaving Cert – with students to be offered the option of a calculated grade or a written exam in each subject.

Education Minister Norma Foley has said she hopes as many people as possible will take the written exam.

NPHET will also advise on whether construction can reopen on a wider basis in March.

Some Ministers are sceptical about reopening the sector given current case numbers; however, the Department of Housing has prepared significant evidence suggesting that the sites that have already opened have been able to do so safely.

It comes after the Taoiseach warned that public health officials are 'hugely concerned' about the UK variant of the virus – which now accounts for 90% of cases here.

The death toll from the virus passed 4,000 in the Republic yesterday – and 6,000 across the island of Ireland.

Seán Defoe and Michael Staines