The Department of Health has announced that there have been no further deaths related to Covid-19 over the past 24 hours, however an additional 12 cases of the virus have been confirmed.
It brings the overall number of deaths linked to the virus here to 1,764, with the total number of cases so far to 25,881.
The HSE says it is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.
The figures come as Tánaiste Leo Varadkar earlier today said that the government will consider proposals put forward by nursing unions, but said compensation was not on the agenda.
Mr Varadkar said nurses raised concerns about clusters in the workplace.
"What they are concerned about is that there are workplace clusters and we need to make sure if there is a cluster, that action is taken and some government agency or HIQA goes in quickly to make sure procedures is followed," he said.
Separately, Mr Varadkar also said he thinks the issue of international travel in relation to Covid-19 here has received "too much attention".
Tánaiste @LeoVaradkar says the whole issue of international travel has gotten too much attention in the last few weeks and that it prevents us from focusing on what are the real risks. He says the advice from the government in relation to travel is clear. #rtetwip #rtenews pic.twitter.com/A5fvFL0tDF
— The Week in Politics (@rtetwip) July 26, 2020
Speaking on RTÉ's The Week in Politics, he said that since the pandemic began about 2-3% of cases were related to international travel, and while this climbed in recent weeks, it has since fallen again.
He said he thinks it "prevents us from focusing on what are the real risks" such as where the vast majority of Covid-19 cases are happening, such as among healthcare workers and friends and families engaged in social gatherings.
Mr Varadkar said they will have to "tighten up" on those coming from countries where Covid-19 rates are high, adding that a call centre will be run by the DAA and also there will be a move to put the mandatory form online for people to fill in before they travel.
He also said the government was also looking at other measures such as the possibility of requiring people to have evidence of a negative test prior to travelling from some countries.
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The Tánaiste said we need people to be honest and realistic and reiterated that Ireland is not New Zealand.
"We are part of the EU and have a land border with Northern Ireland which has a green list of 59 countries."
He said a council meeting is due to take place with Northern Ireland this week on the subject of travel.
Mr Varadkar also revealed the plan to reopen schools was "very good" and ready to go to Cabinet tomorrow.
Responding to any teachers' concerns, he said there are concerns across all sectors.
ASTI President Deidre McDonald said they are hopeful their demands are met with the plan.
She said the union had not seen the plan but had made a list of requests to ensure teachers and students return to school safely.
She said it will be "a gigantic challenge" on schools and that they cannot be rushed into this.
"If we have to take another few days to make sure we are going into a safe environment, that must be, rather than pile them in on day one," Ms McDonald said.
Meanwhile third-level students are calling for detailed timetables to allow them make informed decisions on whether or not they need to secure rented accommodation for the upcoming academic year.
Many are reluctant to commit to renting accommodation as they do not know if the majority of their learning will be done remotely.
Universities have provided start dates for students, academic planning is continuing, and each facility is scheduling for a blended or hybrid learning approach in line with Covid-19 restrictions.
Tánaiste says efforts being made to improve CervicalCheck
Also today, Leo Varadkar said the Government is making efforts to improve the national cervical screening programme.
The Tánaiste was responding to CervicalCheck campaigner Vicky Phelan's criticism, when she wrote today in the Sunday Independent about a lack of action by the government, saying she wants change, not promises.
Mr Varadkar said patient safety legislation will be in the Dáil in the next session and that will put mandatory open disclosure on a statutory footing.
In relation to outstanding cases relating to misreading of smear tests, he said one thing that was achieved by Ruth Morrissey and the judgment she got is that it sets out a framework against which state claims agencies can settle cases and settle them quickly.
However, he said there will be occasions where there will be disputes over the facts and where that happens, you will need a hearing.
"Unfortunately that is unavoidable and I wish I realised that maybe over two years ago."
The World Health Organization says data to date suggests 80% of Covid-19 infections are mild or asymptomatic, 15% are severe infection, requiring oxygen and 5% are critical, requiring ventilation.
Generally, you need to be 15 minutes or more in the vicinity of an infected person and within two metres of them, to be considered at-risk, or a close contact.
