The results for this year will be made available at schools on November 23. Starting at 4 p.m. on that day, candidates can also obtain their results online.
Part of the reason for the delay is attributed to a lack of examiners and the priority placed on grading the Leaving Certificate.
"The SEC realises that applicants and their parents/guardians may be upset that these results are issuing later than usual," an SEC representative said.
This resulted from a number of causes, including a later release date for the Leaving Certificate results and, most significantly, the impact of a teacher shortage during the summer marking session.
"The SEC will be discussing with all of the stakeholders how to best ensure the availability of teachers in the appropriate numbers to finish this essential examination work before the 2023 exams," according to the statement.
Students have been taking tests for more than four months at this point.
After Junior Cycle exams were postponed for two years in a row because to the Covid-19 outbreak, this year's Junior Cert was the first to be offered.
Exams were given to over 68,408 students, a 5% rise from the number of candidates in 2019.
Prior to Covid, the SEC stated that finding enough teachers to grade tests had been "very problematic."
Norma Foley, the minister of education, acknowledged that students and staff had been frustrated by the wait but added that the news gives clarity.
She stated, "I believe it's crucial we do have a date and we do have clarity.
The minister welcomed the news but also mentioned the difficulties they had encountered with two Leaving Certificate sittings as she spoke on her way into a Cabinet meeting.
She added that they must also provide the Leaving Cert appeals prior to the Junior Cycle.
She claimed that she is "aware" that things need to be done differently and that she has asked department officials for a root-and-branch review of timings, the releasing of results, and how to draw in additional test correctors.
She claimed that getting more people to participate in the rectifying process has been a particular issue for the SEC.
She said, "That job is underway right now.
The minister promised that efforts will be made to make future Junior Cert results delivery more timely.
She added that they must also provide the Leaving Cert appeals prior to the Junior Cycle.
She claimed that she is "aware" that things need to be done differently and that she has asked department officials for a root-and-branch review of timings, the releasing of results, and how to draw in additional test correctors.
She claimed that getting more people to participate in the rectifying process has been a particular issue for the SEC.
She said, "That job is underway right now.
The minister promised that efforts will be made to make future Junior Cert results delivery more timely.
'Stressful experience' for students
According to the president of the Irish Association of Secondary Teachers, students found it "very difficult" to wait for their Junior Cert results.
A five-month wait between taking the examinations and learning your results is unacceptable, she said.
"For pupils who are leaving school for apprenticeships, it causes issues.
"Students who enter fifth year right away face challenges since they must select between lower-level and higher-level studies.
"And it's a problem for all students who sat the exams and deserve to know they did," she added.
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