Classrooms have been empty since March.

Now the Cabinet is expected to finalise details of a Covid-19 safe reopening plan that will see schools welcome students once again, starting in August.

The Government will consider measures costing upwards of €300m at today’s Cabinet meeting, with physical distancing, cleaning, PPE and hand hygiene among the key issues. Schools are also waiting for guidance on how to deal with a potential Covid-19 outbreak.

Second-level students will be grouped in pods of six to help them stay at least 1m apart during the school day. Neither teachers nor students will be required to wear masks, but the reports indicate face coverings may be employed in situations where it is not possible to adhere to social distancing rules.

It is believed that schools will also receive funding for extra counsellors to help children understand and cope with the changes.

Minister for Education Norma Foley said the new guidelines for reopening schools for the first time since March 12th are “solution-focused”.

Meanwhile, 12 additional cases of Covid-19 were confirmed on Sunday evening, bringing the total number of confirmed cases here to 25,881.

There have been no additional deaths.