The Government is considering a plan that would see people aged under 30 vaccinated before some older age groups.
The idea is based on the strong belief that younger people will be more active once society begins to reopen, and would be more likely to socialise in larger numbers.
It is understood that senior health officials fear that this could potentially lead to another dreaded spike in infections.
If the proposal were to go ahead, the 18-30 cohort would begin to receive their jabs once those aged over 60 have received been vaccinated.
Speaking to the Irish Times, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said: “I’ve asked the department to assess the case for vaccinating younger cohorts earlier, on the basis of reducing overall transmission as quickly as possible."
The news comes ahead of Government plans to announce their strategy for reopening the country across May, June and July.
Talking to reporters at a press conference earlier this week, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said that plans for a re-opening of the hospitality sector, both indoor and outdoor, will be drawn up and published by the end of the month.
He said that it is likely pubs and restaurants will re-open in either June or July.
He also stated that he is "increasingly confident" that it will be possible to have both indoor and outdoor dining available by July.
Mr Varadkar added that providing the country keeps going in the right direction, the Cabinet will set out what restrictions are to be eased across May, but will also set out in a revised plan as to what June and July might look like.
"We would expect to be in a position at the end of April to give an indication as to how hospitality might reopen across the course of June or July," he said.
"We have no deep detail on that yet, but the evidence is that outdoor dining is much safer than indoor, but it is hoped to get to the point where both will be possible.
"And, you know, I'm increasingly confident that it will be possible."
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