Meetings between the Government and secondary teachers are expected to take place shortly in an attempt to resolve the industrial action which is due to resume after Christmas.
The Department of Education has written to the ASTI suggesting a meeting and the union has agreed, but a date has yet to be arranged.
The general secretary of ASTI, Mr Charlie Lennon, said last night the "ball is now in the Government's court". He said the union had agreed to a meeting but had not heard subsequently from the Department.
The ninth day of action by ASTI yesterday involved a State-wide strike. About 20 community colleges and comprehensive schools with fewer than 10 ASTI members were picketed for the second time, in addition to the 600 schools where ASTI members form a majority.
In those 20 colleges the majority of teachers are members of the TUI and they did not pass pickets yesterday. The TUI president, Mr John Mac Gabhann, said they should still be paid. "They were available for work and should not be penalised for taking a decision in conscience."
Speaking from Cork, Mr Michael O'Regan, president of the National Parents' Association for Vocational Schools and Community Colleges, said many parents were at "breaking point" in relation to the current impasse. He said a student march in Skibbereen showed the level of anger in his area.
The ASTI threat to the exams was "very, very serious", he said. His organisation had received many calls from parents anxious about their child falling behind. "They believe certain children will simply not get their points total because of the time they've lost," he said.