The Taoiseach is expected to address the nation shortly after 6pm this evening to announce that Covid-19 restrictions will end on October 22nd later.
Cabinet meet today to finalise the roadmap away from measures which have been in place since March 2020 - starting with the return of live events and increased capacity at sport events from next week.
From September 20th the phased return to offices will begin.
NPHET member Mary Favier says vaccines have helped a lot with the easing.
"I think the opening of our schools and our third level colleges is a really important next step, and we have to be very mindful of that and protect that.
"There's a very significant surge of covid in the community, and we would have huge numbers if we didn't have vaccination. Our numbers are still high."
Peter Cosgrove, Managing Director of Futurewise, says people should prepare themselves for a return to the office.
"The reality is that you are employed by an employer, and they might actually want you to come back to work, and that kind of is their right.
"I think sometimes people have this view that 'no, I now work from home, I'm much better working from home'.
"But the reality is that you're not a n individual, you're part of a collective, and a lot of things happen in the office because people are together."
