The Education Minister is welcoming the breakthrough in negotiations on junior cycle reform.

The newly agreed proposals will see students sitting a revised exam that would be assessed by the State Examinations Commission.

In addition to that teachers would assess students in class - with each subject being assessed once in second year and once in third year.

At the end of the third year students will get a profile of achievement document.

A new subject of Well-being will be introduced and students will also be able to opt to study a number of short courses like computer programming.

Speaking to the Last Word this evening Minister Jan O'Sullivan welcomed the breakthrough: