The Department of Education has said several meetings are to be held over the coming weeks in relation to the State exams.

It met with a range of stakeholders on Friday as part of planning for the exams in response to the COVID-19 public health measures.

The meeting involved representatives of students, parents, teachers, school leadership and management bodies.

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) and the National Educational Psychological Service were also represented.

In a statement after the meeting, the department said: "A series of further meetings will be held over the coming weeks as part of consideration and planning for the revised arrangements for the examinations, taking account of public health advice."

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is also observing at the meetings, with the intention of feeding back to consultations across the third-level sector.

Education Minister Joe McHugh said: "I want to thank all those who are taking part in these stakeholder meetings and in particular for their acknowledgement of the extraordinary circumstances students are facing in the COVID-19 crisis.

"The welfare and well-being of students is of paramount consideration and we are also doing our utmost to ensure students get clarity and certainty in relation to the examinations at the earliest possible opportunity.

"All decisions are being taken in line with the public health advice."

The advisory group was also told that a range of supports for students is being developed.

Last week, it was confirmed that the Leaving Certificate will be postponed until late July or August.

A new timetable for the exams is set to be confirmed in early June.

While it has been reported that the exams could run into early September, due to the possibility of a single exam each day as part of efforts to minimise public health risks.

Main image: A 2015 Leaving Certificate paper at O Connells Secondary School in Dublin. Photo by: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland