There have been nine further Covid-related deaths reported by the Department of Health.
Seven of the deaths occurred this month, with two taking place in February. The ages of those who died ranged from 64 to 95 years old.
There have now been a total of 4,585 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland.
The Department has also reported an additional 525 cases of the virus, bringing the overall total number of cases in the country since the pandemic began to 229,831.
Of today's cases, 68% are under the age of 45, with the median age standing at 34.
Geographically, 266 of the new cases are in Dublin, with 33 in Meath, 29 in Wexford, 25 in Offaly and 24 in Donegal. The remaining 148 cases are spread across 19 other counties.
There were no new cases reported in counties Kerry or Leitrim, and fewer than five cases reported in each of Carlow, Westmeath, Limerick, Sligo, Mayo, Monaghan, Clare and Kilkenny.
The five-day moving average number of cases stands at 503, and the 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 people in 150.2.
Offaly has the highest 14-day incidence rate nationally, at 388.7. Both Kilkenny and Leitrim have a 14-day incidence rate of 34.3 - the lowest rate reported.
There were 328 people hospitalised with the virus as of this morning, and 83 of these are receiving treatment in intensive care units.
As of Wednesday 17 March there were 639,586 doses of Covid-19 vaccine administered.
468,328 people have received at least one dose and 171,258 of these people have also received their second dose.
Earlier today the Department of Health in Northern Ireland reported 159 new cases of Covid-19. There have been no further deaths of people who previously tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland.
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Meanwhile the return to work of more than 14,000 more construction workers next month has been identified as among the key Government priorities.
The other focus for Government is on lifting restrictions on sports training for those aged under 18 years.
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This morning the Health Service Executive resumed administering the AstraZeneca vaccine at several hospitals across the country.
Use of the vaccine was suspended last weekend pending an investigation by the European Medicines Agency after a report of very rare blood clotting events in Norway.
The EMA concluded on Thursday that the vaccine is safe and effective and is not associated with an overall increase in blood clots.
HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid said the priority is to resume the programme for the 30,000 people who were due to receive the vaccine this week.
