The Taoiseach says the Government intends to reopen all schools at the start of the next academic year.

Speaking outside Government Buildings this afternoon, Leo Varadkar said the reopening of schools is “not no-risk but is low-risk.”

He noted that the reopening may not mean all children returning on the same day, but said he expects all schools to reopen at the end of August.

“As the research continues to come in, we know that is not a no-risk scenario, but it is a low-risk scenario to reopen schools,” he said.

“We are learning very much from the experience of other countries that have reopened schools at least partially already.

“We are also learning for the experience of other countries that have had to re-impose restrictions.”

He said “we believe we will achieve the target” of reopening schools at the beginning of the next school year.

“That might not mean that every student is able to return every day for the full day but our objective is to have things as close to normal as is possible.”

He said the Education Minister Joe McHugh is “making good progress” on a plan to put a summer education programme for children with special needs in place in the coming months.

“It will be voluntary but for parents who want their children to be able avail of it, we are making very good progress on being able to put something in place in July and August, especially for children with special needs.”

Under the roadmap for reopening, primary and secondary schools were earmarked for reopening in Phase Five on August 10th.