Team sports training for adults looks set to be given the green light later today to resume from May 10.
The Cabinet are to meet later today to discuss the reopening of society and the economy, with an announcement from Taoiseach Micheal Martin expected afterwards.
Inter-county GAA training resumed on April 19, with the hurling and football leagues set to start next month, while pitches, golf courses and tennis courts were among the sports facilities to reopen last Monday.
June 7 is expected to be the date competitive matches are allowed to resume , but spectators will not be permitted.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said: "The challenge here is to do this but to do it well in a way that doesn't see us reversing again, but of course if we do see a spike or something unexpected, in terms of a new variant or how this virus is behaving, well then of course we'll have to adapt to that.
"But as the Taoiseach has said, and as the Tanaiste has reinforced over and over again, this time we want to make sure that as we go forward in terms of easing restrictions, we don't have to go back again.
"For people in their homes listening to this, they will now in May look forward to being able to have their neighbours again outdoors in their gardens meeting up, for adults that want to go training again they will be able do it, personal services like hairdressers by appointment will be possible again in a few weeks' time, people will be able to go back to religious services and inter-county travel will be possible for the first time in months."
The Taoiseach has previously said that he will give a "comprehensive" plan of what is to come next month as well as promising to give some clarity as to what we can expect throughout the summer.
While it has previously been indicated that a number of key areas had bee n earmarked for the month of May, leaks and rumours began to swirl last night that the Government would be lifting certain restrictions earlier than expected.
Ministers had already previously confirmed that the plan for May was to ensure the return of construction in full, reopen hairdressers, barbers and other personal services as well as the return to some outdoor activities.
Previously it had been confirmed that these would definitely happen however it had been suggested by Government that these would return on a staggered basis. However that has since changed with May 10 the likely date for the lifting of many restrictions.
The following changes are set to come into effect from May 10;
- Inter-county travel returns
- Hairdressers/barbers/beauticians are back
- Three households can meet in a back garden
- Click and collect shopping resumes
Vaccinated households can meet with another household indoors
- 50 people allowed at funerals and wedding services, but only 6 can come to the afters of the wedding.
Cabinet are also debating whether or not all non-essential retail shops can open fully on May 17.
