The government has reversed its decision to allow schools to reopen for Leaving Cert students amid increasing concerns from teachers.

Education Minister Norma Foley confirmed in a statement last night that all schools would remain closed from Monday.

But as last year's Leaving Cert was cancelled due to COVID-19, will the 2021 exams actually take place this summer?

Norma Foley joined us on The Last Word to explain what the current plans are.

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The HSE has confirmed that 15,000 people have received the COVID-19 vaccine so far.

However, it's been reported that there are some issues which could potentially affect rollout of the vaccine.

According to the Irish Daily Mail, HSE staff are writing personal information of people receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on paper before inputting it on a computer system.

The HSE is also in talks with the Defence Forces about drafting in army personnel to administer the vaccine and alleviate mounting concerns over capacity issues.

Monaghan-based GP Dr Ilona Duffy, IMO council member Dr Anthony O'Connor and Daniel McConnell, political editor of the Irish Examiner, joined us to discuss this and the news that over 1,150 people are now in hospital with the virus.

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Donald Trump has said he won't attend Joe Biden's inauguration on 20 January.

He confirmed the news in a tweet, hours after promising a peaceful transition of power.

Meanwhile House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump from office, after he incited "an armed insurrection against America" as his supporters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday.

She warned that if Trump is not removed, Congress will begin impeachment proceedings.

Aoife Barry and Donal O'Donoghue discussed this story and more in The Week Trending.

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As we enter another lockdown, COVID-19 cases are rapidly increasing.

But how do you know if you have it? What are the signs you need to look out for, and how do you go about getting a test?

Dr Doireann O'Leary, health blogger and Cork GP, joined us for our weekly health slot to discuss this.

She also explained what to do if you're feeling unwell for reasons other than COVID-19, and when you might need to visit your GP.

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Catch The Last Word on Business weeknights from 6pm on Today FM, with Capital Flow.

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The United States Congress has certified Joe Biden as president, hours after a large group of Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.

Trump released a video in which he repeated his claims that the election was fraudulent. He also praised the rioters, calling them "very special".

He has since been banned from Facebook and Instagram until 20 January, while Twitter suspended his account for 12 hours.

There have now been calls for Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump from office.

Cal Thomas, Marion McKeone and Dave Hannigan joined us to discuss these events.

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Primary and secondary schools are to remain closed until at least February, but Leaving Cert students will be asked to attend for three days a week from Monday.

However, the Teachers' Union of Ireland is calling for these plans to be paused, arguing that an "unprecedented number" of teachers have expressed fears about physically returning to work from 11 January.

The TUI also says schools were not given enough notice and therefore are not prepared for the attendance of 61,000 Leaving Cert students.

To discuss this we were joined by Joanne Irwin, Assistant General Secretary of the TUI, and Arthur Godsil, former headmaster of St. Andrew's College and Director of Godsil Education.

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Over the next four weeks, we're inviting some of Ireland's most prominent politicians to join The Last Word's Culture Club.

This week's guest is Fine Gael MEP and 2014 Rose of Tralee, Maria Walsh.

She joined Matt to talk about her favourite music, movies, TV shows, books and plays.

First Single Ever Bought: The Spice Girls - Wannabe

Favourite Bands/Musicians: The Whileaways, Dixie Chicks, Xavier Rudd, Macklemore, Greg Holden

Favourite Album: Dixie Chicks - Home

Best Gig: Dixie Chicks at the 3Arena

Favourite TV Shows: Murder She Wrote, 7th Heaven, Gilmore Girls, Friday Night Lights, George Clooney in ER

Favourite Movies: Miracle, Moneyball

Favourite Book: Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul by Jack Canfield, Jennifer Hawthorne and Mark Victor Hansen

Favourite Play/Musical: Avenue Q

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The Cabinet has agreed new COVID-19 restrictions which will see schools closed and construction halted until at least the end of the month.

Most primary and secondary schools will remain closed until 31 January, but Leaving Cert students will be asked to attend for three days a week.

Non-essential construction will stop this Friday at 6pm, but essential work on health projects, schools and social housing will be allowed to continue.

Childcare services will continue for children of essential workers and vulnerable children only, while non-essential retailers have been asked to suspend click and collect services.

To discuss these restrictions, we were joined by:

Catherine Motherway of the Intensive Care Society Of Ireland

Ann Piggott, president of the ASTI

James Benson, Director of Housing at the Construction Industry Federation

Ian Talbot, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland

Reuban Murray, president of the Irish Secondary Schools Students' Union

Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland

Antoinette Cunningham, General Secretary of the AGSI

Duncan Graham, Managing Director of Retail Excellence

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Record numbers of people are now in hospital with COVID-19, with HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid saying that Ireland has exceeded the peak level of the first wave.

As of today there are 921 people in hospital, compared to 817 yesterday.

There are 88 people in intensive care units, which is around half of the peak in April.

Priscilla Lynch, clinical editor of the Medical Independent, and Daniel McConnell, political editor of the Irish Examiner, joined us to discuss the growing pressure on hospitals and the additional restrictions put in place by the government.

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