Primary school teachers and the Department of Education have reached a deal on the holding of parent-teacher meetings outside school hours.
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has agreed the meetings will be held between 3.15 p.m. and 5.45 p.m. Parents who are not available at those times will also be accommodated, under the deal.
The Minister for Education and Science, Mr Dempsey, welcomed the agreement saying: "In future, schools will not have to close either for full days of half days when parent-teacher meetings covered by this agreement are being held."
"This has proved a serious concern for parents and school management in the past. We now have a better way for the future," he added.
The INTO also welcomed the deal.
Last night, the Department reached a similar deal with secondary teachers clearing the way for a 9.5 per cent pay increased owed to teachers under the Sustaining Progress agreement.