The Education Minister has told the cabinet she's planning for a phased return to school for all students next month.
March 1st has been set as a target date, but opposition politicians are skeptical that's achievable.
This morning Minister Norma Foley told her cabinet colleagues she's planning for schools to return in less than two weeks time on a phased basis.
But this still has to be agreed with teaching unions with talks ongoing.
It is expected the phased return will happen next month.
But Labour's Education Spokesman Aodhan O'Riordain says he's not convinced it will be March 1st.
Cabinet was also updated on the talks around this year's Leaving Cert with it hoped a resolution will be reached later this week.
While cabinet also approved legislation for mandatory hotel quarantine for people arriving to Ireland from certain countries, which will go before the Dáil on Thursday.