A Government plan for the phased reopening of all remaining closed industries will be published on 31 August.

This will include the return of the live entertainment sector and will cover the next stage of the pandemic from September and through the winter.

It is unlikely that any more measures will be relaxed until at least the middle of next month as the Government prioritises the return of schools and colleges.

The Taoiseach said the road map will be "comprehensive" and will provide clarity on when sectors that remain closed can reopen and when restrictions on others can be lifted.

Speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, Micheál Martin said that while case numbers are very high, vaccination rates are also high.

The Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 met today and was briefed by Health Service Executive Chief Executive Paul Reid, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan, head of the vaccine taskforce Professor Brian MacCraith and Professor Philip Nolan from the National Public Health Emergency Team.

Prof Nolan told the gathering that infection rates have not yet peaked but this could happen in late September.

Ministers also heard that the rise in cases is due to the impact of the return of indoor hospitality, along with other measures.

They were also told that attendance at vaccination centres will begin to fall from mid-September due to high numbers already vaccinated.

"There was never going to be a decision made" at today's meeting, Mr Martin said, adding that it is working towards preparing a plan for next week.

He said the meeting was about establishing "where we are now" in respect of NPHET's modelling.

The high vaccination uptake is preventing people from being hospitalised and admitted to intensive care, he said.

The Taoiseach said that NPHET will meet on 25 August, the Cabinet committee will gather two days later and then a full meeting of Cabinet will be held on 31 August to finalise the road map that will "take us through to the end of the year, and maybe beyond".

"The reopening of our society has gone well," Mr Martin said, but there have been "many twists and turns" during the pandemic.

"We'll be moving into a new era in terms of managing Covid, building on the progress of the vaccination programme," he said.

But people need to "take on board" that the Delta variant wave has not reached its peak and that every case has a disproportionate effect on the rest of the health service, he added.

Mr Martin stressed that personal responsibility will still play a role as restrictions are eased further, as the virus will remain present in the country.

"Giving clarity to the sectors, such as the entertainment sector and the return to offices in city centre" would be a key part of the plan next week, the Taoiseach added.

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The HSE Winter Plan will be brought forward this year.

Vaccination booster shots will begin with the immunosuppressed and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee will give advice to Government on this in two weeks' time.

Other issues discussed at today's meeting included the return to the workplace and how sectors can utilise antigen testing.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin did not attend the discussions despite having requested to do so.

It is understood she is likely to be present at next week's gathering as it directly affects areas coming under her department.

The three party leaders attended today along with Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys.