The former Minister for Education says she'll announce her decision next week, on weather or not to put herself forward as the next leader of the Labour Party.

Jan O'Sullivan says she expects to have made a decision by next Tuesday.

Earlier, the Labour Party's Executive Board decided that nominations for the leadership position would open from today until next Friday.

So far, the party's Deputy Leader Alan Kelly is the only Labour TD to officially announce his intention to contest the leadership.

Other TDs including Sean Sherlock and Brendan Howlin, have also been touted as possibilities to put themselves forward to lead the party.

Earlier this week, Joan Burton said she would step down as Labour Leader once her successor has been elected.

Deputy O'Sullivan, says she'll spend the weekend thinking about whether or not to put herself forward.

"I'm a member of the executive and we've only just set up the process today for the election of leader and eputy leader.

"Obviously I haven't made my decision, I'll be making it over the weekend."