One Dublin school says it is keeping some of the measures that have worked for it during the pandemic.

Mark Candon, principal of St Laurence O'Toole CBS, was speaking as people no longer have to wear face masks in shops, public transport or schools.

However they are still advised to wear them on public transport and in healthcare settings.

Other protective measures in schools - such as pods and separated break times - have also ended.

Mr Candon told The Pat Kenny Show why they're keeping some of the changes.

"We'll continue with hand hygiene, which is a good idea.

"Our approach here now is wash on the way in, sanitise on the way out.

"For example, in the mornings here now, I'd go round with hand sanitiser in the yard before school.

"As kids are coming in, everybody gets a little spray.

"That means that if you're hands are sanitised going up holding the bar of the stairs.

"And then everybody when they get into the classrooms we have a routine where everybody washes their hands.

"Then when you come out for breaktime, all of the rooms have hand sanitiser units on the wall.

"So you sanitise before going out to breaktime".

'If people wish to wear masks they may'

And he says two-way systems are working well, and will also be kept.

"We opened the fire exit at the back of the school and we had classes coming up and down that way, and classes coming in the front, which actually reduces pressure on everybody coming through the front door and going up the stairs.

"That's kind of worked, so we'll keep that going as well. There's no problem with that.

"I suppose this is day one of the new dispensation, so we'll see how it goes".

And he says he's already seeing changes.

"There was no kids with masks this morning, there was no staff that I've seen so far who've worn a mask.

"But really the choice is theirs".

A PPE grant from the Department of Education will continue to the end of the school year.