Children's Minister Katherine Zappone has announced a package worth €75m to help re-open the childcare sector post-COVID-19.
Creches and other facilities are set to re-open their doors from June 29th.
As part of the plan, the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) will continue to operate up to June 28th.
It will provide an 85% - or 70% for higher incomes - contribution towards the cost of wages.
Gardaí are investigating after a 13-year-old boy died following a road crash in Co Westmeath.
The single vehicle collision happened in the Lisclougher Great area of Delvin at around 2:15am on Wednesday morning.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene and his body has been removed to the mortuary at Midland Regional Hospital, Mulingar.
Another boy, aged in his teens, has been taken to Mullingar Regional Hospital understood to be in critical condition.
COVID-19: Five deaths and nine cases
Health officials have announced five more coronavirus-related deaths and 19 new cases.
It takes the national death toll to 1,695 and the national total to 25,231.
The totals include the denotification of one previously announced death and three previously-confirmed cases.
The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said officials would tomorrow would review the latest WHO advice on face coverings.
An infectious disease specialist has warned that people must be encouraged to wear face masks rather than forced.
It follows concern about the low numbers of people wearing face coverings on public transport or in enclosed spaces.
On Lunchtime Live this afternoon, RCSI Professor Sam McConkey said making them mandatory could see a public backlash.
On The Hard Shoulder however Professor Jack Lambert from the UCD School of Medicine said the use of face masks should be mandatory.
Gardaí lose travel restriction enforcement powers
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has denied Gardaí have lost clout, after it was revealed their powers to enforce some COVID-19 restrictions have lapsed.
He said Gardaí can still use a full suite of powers, including public order legislation.
However, the power to turn people back and stop them from travelling long distances, which was brought in as part of coronavirus measures, is no longer in force.
He told Pat Kenny: "Moving from phase one to phase two, matters were becoming very, very difficult and challenging to enforce.
