Everyone over the age of 16 can be vaccinated by the end of September, Cabinet was informed today.
The Department of Health is also examining giving booster jabs in the Autumn/Winter to vulnerable groups.
The Government is also examining the possibility of vaccinating those aged 12 to 15 during the autumn.
And the State’s vaccine advisory body, NIAC is also continuing examining the mixing Covid-19 vaccines.
Ministers were told that anyone aged over 16 that wants to get a Covid-19 vaccine, will be vaccinated by the end of September, a spokesman for the government has confirmed.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly gave an update on vaccination figures and said to date 4.73 million vaccine doses have now been administered.
He said in total, 2.68 million people have received their first dose and over 2.1 million, or more than 56% of the eligible population - are now fully vaccinated.
It is expected that the HSE will administer 280,000 to 300,000 doses in the coming week.
The national portal for 18-34 year olds to register for AstraZeneca vaccines is also expected to open on Friday.
It’s also understood the Department of Health is discussing whether to offer vaccines to children aged between 12 and 15 during the winter months with jabs that have been sent for review by the European Medicines Agency.
Children aged under 12 also won’t need to take a PCR test when entering the State from next week.
Cabinet approved the change today to bring Ireland in line with other EU countries.
The news comes after Deputy CMO Ronan Glynn has said the Delta variant now accounts for 80% of the cases reported in Ireland.
He said: "Scientific evidence shows that Delta is a much more transmissible variant of COVID-19, now accounting for 80% of the cases reported in Ireland.
"This is a challenge that is facing all of Europe, but we know that the basic public health measures still work against this variant.
"Please continue to avoid crowds, wear a mask, manage your contacts, keep your distance, meet outdoors where possible and if indoors, ensure that the room is well ventilated.
“With incidence of the disease continuing to increase, the rapid identification of cases and outbreaks of COVID-19 is essential.
"We are asking anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 to work with our contact tracers to identify all of your close contacts so that they, their families and colleagues can be protected.
"If you know you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, or if you have any symptoms, stay at home and organise a free test as soon as possible.”
