Transport Minister Eamon Ryan could not guarantee the heavy restrictions introduced for primary school aged children will be lifted soon.
However, the Coalition leader insisted NPHET's advice that children under 12 should avoid indoor events such as birthday parties, nativity plays, sleepovers and indoor playdates is a "temporary measure".
The Cabinet's Covid SubCommittee is due to discuss the advice on Monday before it goes to the full Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Speaking on This Week In Politics, Mr Ryan said the recommendation come because of a 'very high spike' of cases in children aged between 12 and five.
He said: "That can't be a permanent measure. That is just a very temporary measure in response to a very recent and very high spike in that age group for their own health benefits."
"We have to meet with NPHET to hear their advice, in that regard. I've talked to Dr. Tony Holohan this morning and we have been in regular contract through this process."
The Transport Minister added that the Government will "heed" NPHET's advice before adding that nothing is guaranteed in the pandemic.
He said: "So we will heed health advice, but there's also as part of the proper health care is recognizing that particularly our younger people in college, in work and in school, also need to live with Covid in a way where they are not isolated and not full of anxiety and cut off because of that."
"We can't guarantee anything in Covid as we've known for the last few years in every country."
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