The teachers union the ASTI says it regrets any inconvenience to parents as a result of its industrial action.

17,000 teachers are refusing to carry out any work outside of teaching hours as part of their rejection of the Haddington Road agreement.

Half-day closures of secondary schools are now on the cards in order to facilitate parent teacher meetings. Teachers involved in the industrial are insisting that their schools are functioning as normal.

Concerns have been raised about whether teachers will now participate in the on-going modification of the Junior Certificate.

While speaking last month, the Taoiseach ruled out any negotiation of the Haddington Road agreement. 

The Education Minister has also warned teachers belonging to the ASTI that their jobs are at risk after rejecting Haddington Road. Ruairi Quinn said the teachers and their union need to "press the pause button".

"The decision by ASTI to remain outside the HRA and to withdraw from existing commitments means that the protection and the benefits of the agreement - including those in relation to security of tenure of employment - are not any longer available to their members" he said.

He suggested that this underlines "a strong case for a reconsideration by ASTI" of the situation.

General-Secretary of the ASTI is Pat King. He told Breakfast here on Newstalk they are "painfully aware" of the impact the dispute is having on parents and students.