A spokesperson for the Department of Education said the decision had been taken to cancel the practicals only for those subjects because it could not be guaranteed that all students and examiners would be able to travel to their schools for the exams.

They said that the State Examinations Commission will put “alternative arrangements” in place for the students affected and will inform the relevant schools in due course about what those fresh plans will involve.

The spokesperson underlined that all affected students will be given the opportunity to take their exams at another time.

The deferment applies to those exams due to take place on Monday only, with all exams slated for Tuesday set to go ahead as planned.

Any change to that position will be communicated to schools by midday on Monday, the Department said.

Meanwhile, Bus Éireann has confirmed that school transport services are set to resume on Monday as usual following the two-week Easter holiday period, despite the possibility some services may be affected by the ongoing fuel protests.

The company, which operates school services on behalf of the Department of Education, said it is “liaising with contractors” via local school transport offices to ensure that any disruption resulting from the fuel protests is “limited and localised”.

A spokesperson said, that should blockades continue and fuel distribution remain a challenge into the new week, some delays and service disruption are likely.

“Bus Éireann will endeavour to advise families of any disruption to services as soon as such information is made available,” they said.