All primary school pupils will return to school as planned next Monday as well as fifth year students in secondary schools.
The Department of Education circulated a letter to school principals on Monday outlining the continuation of the phased reopening of schools.
The decision to push ahead comes after around 100,000 children returned to preschool on Monday.
The letter said the Department and the HSE “have reaffirmed that the gradual phased reopening can proceed as planned.”
The next phase of return is on Monday, March 15 for all primary school children in third to fifth class.
It read: “Public health has reviewed the measures put in place to ensure safe operation of schools and is satisfied that these infection prevention and control measures, if rigorously adhered to, will keep the school community safe during this period.”
The letter to principals across the country has asked for schools to remind parents and pupils not to congregate in school grounds or at school gates.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said it was “so far so good” on the return of junior infants up to second class pupils already.
He said so far the indications show the phased return of Leaving Cert pupils has gone “very well.”
He said the government will continue to monitor the phased return.
