The Minister for Health says the strategy for easing the pandemic lockdown will be decided this week but won't be a "big bang" reopening.
Yesterday officials confirmed 701 more people had tested positive for Covid-19, and 26 more patients had died.
According to the Irish Independent the coronavirus restrictions may not be lifted at all, or only eased slightly, next week.
It's over concern about the number of people still contracting the virus. The measures are due to end on May 5th.
Meanwhile Irish Rail has issued a tender for 20,000 face masks for the public to be delivered by the middle of May.
Minister for Health Simon Harris says the experts are still considering whether the general public should be wearing them;
"Other people asking me is this, that or the other going to be open when restrictions are changed and you know I'm not going to speculate."
He went on to say; "We're going to be led by public health advice in relation to what the appropriate thing to do is and that will be decided this week."
