Efforts to end the row over Junior Certificate reform resume today.

Talks between teachers' unions and the Department of Education were adjourned last Thursday without reaching an agreement.

A spokesperson for the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) said there would be no statement while discussions are ongoing.

Members of the ASTI and the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) have already held two days of strike action over the changes.

They say a third will follow if there is no breakthrough.

The Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan says she has already moved on the issue of teachers marking their own students exams for the Junior Cycle - with the requirement now down to 40%, rather than the 100% initially proposed.

However, unions say there is still some distance between the sides.

Speaking last week, Ms O'Sullivan said she was still hopeful of a breakthrough.