A record number of students have received the results of their Junior Cycle exams.
Some 70,727 sat the exams this year, which is a 5% increase on 2022.
It is the first time that the number of candidates taking Junior Cycle tests - or its Junior Cert and Inter Cert predecessors - has exceeded 70,000.
The results were distributed to students in schools across the country.
This is the second year that all candidates have sat exams under the fully reformed Junior Cycle curriculum.
Until 2019, only the newly revised subjects of English, Science and Business Studies had been examined, and then exams were cancelled for most students in 2020 and in 2021.
Some 629,189 grades in 21 individual subjects were provided to candidates this year.
Assessment procedures were adjusted again to take account of disrupted learning during the pandemic.
The adjustments included some changes to the timing or requirements of practical or coursework components.
Last year students did not receive their results until November.
The State Examinations Commission has said that a significant increase in the number of teachers marking exam papers, and the use of online marking in almost all Junior Cycle subjects had made it possible to deliver this year's Junior Cycle results five weeks earlier.
Schools will go on to combine the exam results that students receive today with outcomes from Classroom-Based Assessments, short courses and other areas of school learning.
All of this will go towards creating a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) award for each student.
In Merlin College, in Doughiska outside Galway city, more than 100 students received their Junior Cert results and the overall reaction was upbeat and positive.
Marveille Lomboto and Leah Costello said they were relieved and happy with their results.
Leah said she preferred sitting the exams rather than getting predicted grades like students during the pandemic.
Leah said: "I feel we got a real experience of sitting a State exam unlike the students who missed out because of the pandemic.
"This is much better than predictive grades. These are my actual results and I'm so proud of myself. I hope eventually to become a teacher."
Bartek Stiburski and Albert Saji Thomas were also very pleased with their results. Bartek is especially relieved that he performed well in his preferred subjects.
He said: "I did really well in science and home economics which are my favourite subjects. I will focus now on the Leaving Cert and work towards a career in science."
Albert laughed and said he did better than the mocks.
He added: "I'm all good to go now with the results I achieved considering the work I put in. It's great to have got through it ok. It feels like a practice run for the Leaving Cert."
Principal of Merlin College John Cleary said the reformed cycle is so much more inclusive and reflective of a new learning landscape.
He said: "We have 750 pupils here and dozens of different nationalities. The new Junior Cert accommodates a broad range of talents and abilities.
"We have a Junior Cert achievement award which recognises all levels of learning, not just academic.
"This was the case before and in that regard this is a far more holistic and visionary programme of teaching.
"It encompasses skill sets, critical thinking and practical projects. The changes are wideranging and so much better than before."
In the Dáil, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar congratulated students completing the Junior Cycle and getting their results.
He told the Dáil that it was "a great day for a lot of young people" and joined Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik in the congratulations she offered to the children.
He said that the "education budget for 2024 is the highest budget ever and that needs to be acknowledged".
Ms Bacik warned that cuts to supports in the Budget would have a negative impact on education and that there is "particular concern for disadvantaged schools".
Additional reporting: Teresa Mannion
