President Michael D Higgins is set to undergo surgery to reduce his back pain next week.
The 82-year-old will complete a "short rehabilitation programme" following the elective procedure on July 11 and he will reduce the number of public engagements he carries out this summer.
However, his office confirmed he will continue to carry out his constitutional duties, including consideration of legislation, from Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin and from his home in Galway.
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They said the surgery had been planned for "some time" and the President is still expected to travel abroad for overseas engagements this autumn.
A statement from his office said: "Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Michael D. Higgins, will next Tuesday, 11 July, undergo an elective medical procedure to relieve back pain.
"Following the procedure, the President will continue to carry out his constitutional duties, including consideration of legislation, from Áras an Uachtaráin and from his home in Galway.
"The procedure the President will undergo has been planned for some time, ahead of a busy autumn schedule, including a number of planned engagements overseas, and following the completion of a substantial programme over the first half of the year.
"It is anticipated that the President will carry out a reduced number of public engagements over the remaining weeks of the summer while he completes a short rehabilitation programme, during which time he will be preparing speeches for the autumn engagements and continuing to fulfil his constitutional duties."
