The government has announced that Cabinet will meet on Monday to discuss the possibility of Covid-19 restrictions.
Government leaders issued a statement this evening after crunch talks with health chiefs about the deteriorating coronavirus situation in Ireland.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan met with the Ministers for Health, Finance and Public Expenditure to discuss the implications of going into a Level 5 lockdown.
Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, Tony Holohan, as well as Deputy Chief Medical Officer Ronan Glynn and Prof Philip Nolan also met with the TDs to explain the latest Covid trends.
A government spokesperson said in a statement this evening that Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan gave a presentation on how the virus is affecting different regions across the country.
Meanwhile HSE chief executive Paul Reid gave an assessment of current hospital response capacity, and an update on the test and trace system.
The spokesperson added that health chiefs told Ministers that children were safer in schools meaning they will likely stay open regardless of what possible new restrictions are implement.
The statement read: "Earlier today the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan, Deputy CMO Dr. Ronan Glynn, and Professor Philip Nolan gave a detailed presentation to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister Ryan, Minister Donohoe, Minister McGrath and Minister Donnelly on the latest data relating to Covid-19 in Ireland.
"The CMO gave an analysis of the virus in each region of the country and Chief Executive of the HSE Paul Reid gave an assessment of current hospital response capacity, and an update on the test and trace system, which the HSE is continuing to expand.
"Presentations were also given on the economic, employment and society wide implications of moving to more severe restrictions.
"Other significant issues were also discussed such as mental health and domestic violence.
"Fundamental to the discussions was the overarching aim of protecting lives and livelihoods.
"The Health team briefed Ministers that children were safer in schools, transmission rates are low, and that the continued opening of schools is very important to the development and wellbeing of children and young people.
"The Cabinet will meet on Monday to consider the matter further."
