It’s five months since most of us had a haircut.

But it looks like there’s finally some light at the end of the tunnel for Ireland’s salon owners and stylists; both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have confirmed they expect salons to reopen as part of the next phase of leaving lockdown next month.

The Cabinet is expected to meet at the end of next week to discuss which restrictions can be eased in May, with a final decision expected on Thursday.

Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, Taoiseach Michéal Martin gave the strongest hint yet that salons might be back in business soon.

“We hope to be able to signal positive news for hairdressers and barbers next week,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar also confirmed the agenda for next week’s Cabinet meeting, with a phased plan for opening salons, non-essential retail and other businesses across May and June.

“That would involve looking at personal services, like barbers and hairdressers; retail; more outdoor activities; religious services and the full return of construction,” Mr Varadkar told the Irish Independent.

“They’re the kind of things that we’re going to look at next week for May. I don’t want to particularly speculate beyond that.”