A breakthrough appears to have been reached on reforming the Junior Certificate.

Teachers' unions and the Department of Education have agreed a proposal to resolve the ongoing dispute, which has seen two days of strike action.

Both unions will meet on Friday, after which the proposals will be published in a document called 'Junior Cycle Reform: Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation.'

The Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan says discussions on reducing the focus on one terminal exam, classroom-based assessment and greater professional collaboration between teachers were among the principles leading to the agreement.

The leadership of the ASTI and the TUI, along with Minister O'Sullivan, have committed their support and strong endorsement to the proposals.

The ASTI said in a statement: "The agreed document outlines a foundation for reform of the junior cycle, within the context of those principles. The document will be published with the express intention that it will form the basis for a ballot of trade union members, to take place as early as practicable in Autumn 2015."

Both sides have agreed that no further comment will be made in advance of the publication of the document.

Teachers were opposed to marking their own pupils for State certification, but Ms O'Sullivan wanted them to mark 40% of the exam in-class.

Education correspondent with the Irish Times, Joe Humphreys, told Newstalk Lunchtime that is now off the table.