The Children's Rights Alliance has called for the re-opening of schools in August as it warns that a generation of children and young people may never reach their full potential due to learning loss.
Schools have been closed since 12 March as part of the measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
CRA Chief Executive Tanya Ward said we can learn from other European countries where schools have re-opened and re-open schools here as soon as possible.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said there are committed professionals who are willing to make it work but they "just need guidance".
Ms Ward said children and young people have paid a serious price under the restrictions and as a result of time away from school.
She said "the time is right" now to bring psychologists and children's experts onto the National Public Health Emergency Team to consider how best to support younger people.
She said young children can start regressing as they disengage with education and more are at risk of dropping out.
Ms Ward said young people who have missed out on schooling are really anxious and missing their friends and playtime but there is also serious concerns about learning loss.
She warned that the situation is likely to have a knock-on effect on child poverty and educational disadvantage.
Ms Ward said we may see a generation of children who will have to spend an extra year in school and we need to plan for that.
She said those children in Europe who are returning to school under social distancing measures are spending a shorter day in school, which may result in them needing an extra year of schooling in the longer term.
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Meanwhile, Chairwoman of the Federation of Early Childcare providers Elaine Dunne has said there is no guidance in place to support for the re-opening of childcare facilities for essential workers on 29 June - Phase Three of the roadmap to reopen the country.
A survey conduced by the Federation of Early Childhood Providers shows that of 609 childcare providers, 60% would definitely not be opening in Phase Three.
Ms Dunne told RTÉ's News at One that health and safety concerns, as well as financial uncertainty, has left many providers unsure of how they can operate safely and viably from 29 June.
Ms Dunne said those services who open up at 25% capacity to care for the children of essential workers, still have overheads and costs for the entire business to be met.
She asked whether the Government is going to cover the other 75% of costs for childcare businesses to operate.
She said childcare facilities are not informing parents about re-opening until they get some reassurance about supports from the Government.
Ms Dunne said that childcare services also have to make changes to services to separate children into smaller groups and this also requires preparations.
She said partitions, new equipment and more staff may be needed to run the 'pod' system suggested by the Minister for Children, Katherine Zappone.
Ms Dunne said her organisation is working on a plan to propose how childcare providers could operate safely and will get the final roadmap to Government tomorrow.
