The Minister for Education has said she has "every confidence" that her department "has the capacity for the full reopening of schools in late August, early September".

Mandate and ICTU have sought greater protections for workers on the Government initiated Hospitality Group, against the backdrop of yesterday’s reopening of indoor dining.

The Times reports on the hospitality industry’s complaints of an acute labour shortage in the sector. Meanwhile, half of hospitality workers say Covid-19 guidelines are not being followed in their workplace. That’s according to the findings of a survey carried out by trade union Unite.

Cabinet will meet today to discuss the ongoing threat of the Delta variant, and numbers at weddings are on the agenda. Separately, Niac’s advice on immunising 12-15-year-olds is expected to be ‘imminent’.

Siptu members working in mental health services in Ballinasloe will ballot for industrial action this week. The row centres on assistants and care workers in St Brigid's Mental Health Intellectual Disability Services. Read more on that here. 

The Times has this piece on the high cost of living in Ireland.

And finally, the managing director of RTÉ News has apologised that the national broadcaster did not link the recent extreme weather to climate change.

Zen

The Eurythmics bring us our zen this morning. 'There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)', the duo's only UK No.1 single, is 36 years old this week. Fun fact - that's Stevie Wonder playing the harmonica. 

Have a good day folks.