Education Minister Joe McHugh announced the initiative.
Leaving Cert students who suffer a close bereavement during or in the run up to this year's exams will be able to take time out.
The Department of Education has announced that students will be able to sit alternative papers in July, if required.
Education Minister Joe McHugh announced the initiative after 2019 Leaving Cert candidate Rhona Butler gave a moving interview on radio about her mother’s death during last years’ exams.
Rhona told RTE Radio One's Ryan Tubridy Show in January that she had no option but to sit the exams.
The measures will apply in cases where the death of the close relative occurs during exam time, or in the two days prior to the exams.
The change is operating on a pilot basis this year and will allow a student to be absent from exams for a three-day period during the June timetable
That student can be absent from exams for three days, starting from the date of the death of a close relative up to and including the day after the funeral. The three days do not need to be consecutive.
