Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says reopening schools and creches could be one of the safest things the Government does as it eases COVID-19 restrictions over the next few months.
His comments come after HIQA said it appears children aren't substantially contributing to the spread of coronavirus in their house or school.
The health watchdog has said the evidence on the subject is currently limited, but has pointed to international studies indicating that the transmission of the disease is lower among young people, particularly those under 14.
Speaking this afternoon, Leo Varadkar said any re-opening of schools or childcare facilities needs to be done safely.
He explained: "What HIQA has said today and what Mike Ryan of the World Health Organisation said to me and the Minister of Health today... [they're] very much of the view that the emerging evidence that among the safest things we could to do over the next couple of months is to reopen our schools and childcare facilities.
"I think we need to bear that in mind."
The 'roadmap' published by the Government for reopening the country indicates that schools would reopen in September at the start of the next school year.
Meanwhile, créches would be allowed begin reopening on a limited basis in late June for children of essential workers, ahead of a wider reopening of childcare services three weeks later.
Transport projects
The Taoiseach has also said he doesn't think major transport projects will have to be scrapped because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It comes after a transport union called for the multi-billion euro Dublin MetroLink plans to be shelved and the BusConnects project to be changed in favour of lower-cost alternatives.
In a letter to political party leaders, the NBRU suggested planning for future transport needs "should be based on what is achievable, not on what is desired".
NBRU's Dermot O'Leary told Newstalk Breakfast that the pandemic "has shown what can happen if we decongest our cities... it has demonstrated quite clearly that there might be a better way or another way".
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, however, doesn't believe the projects should be abandoned.
He said: "I do think we're going to have to review our transport infrastructure plans in light of what we know about this pandemic and this virus.
"Certainly I think we're going to need more investment in cycling and pedestrianisation - we know they're among the lowest risk in terms of transmitting infection.
"But I definitely wouldn't go as far at this stage as saying we would cancel projects such as Metro or BusConnects."
