A number of Leaving Cert students across counties Mayo and Roscommon are staying home from school today and taking part in a digital social media protest, as part of a call for a hybrid Leaving Cert to be held this year.

Sixth year students are holding a number of protests in Dublin, Waterford, Wexford and Carlow to highlight their call, while organisers say students in Mayo & Roscommon will be adding their support on-line.

The students are calling on Education Minister Norma Foley and the Government to listen to their concerns about the amount of time they've missed in school due to Covid-19, and the disruption to their education.

A survey by the Irish Second Level Students Union shows 68& of students want a hybrid approach again this year - where they're given the choice between predicted grades and written exams.

However, teachers unions are calling for a return to the traditional Leaving Cert format.

Talks will take place tomorrow between the Department of Education and representative bodies, and a decision on the format of this year's exams is expected by the end of the week.

The Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris says there's a need for students to get an urgent solution...