The Acting Chief Medical Officer has moved to reassure parents and teachers that the risk of Covid-19 spreading amongst children in schools is low.
In an open letter, Dr Ronan Glynn, says while there is "no zero risk options", now is the right time to reopen.
He says there's enough evidence the risk's outweighed by the benefits of being back in education.
Hundreds of thousands of primary and secondary students will be back at their desks today for the first time since March.
Meanwhile, with school bus services under pressure, motorists are being warned to watch out for young people making their journeys on foot or by bike.
Noel Gibbons, Road Safety Officer with Mayo County Council, says anyone driving has a duty of care towards vulnerable road users.
