The ASTI has this evening agreed to return to talks with the Labour Relations Commission's Mr Tom Pomphrett "as quickly" as possible.
ASTI General Secretary Mr Charlie Lennon said the standing committee had unanimously agreed to the talks proposal outlined in a letter from the Taoiseach last night.
"There is a desire for talks to begin but our membership remains solid in its commitment to support the union on its pay campaign," Mr Lennon told reporters this evening.
"This is not a negotiating process but rather a talks about talks forum. There are no preconditions attached," he added.
The union said it hoped the talks process would be concluded within a week but would not say whether or not strike action would continue while the talks were ongoing.
A decision on that is expected to be announced tomorrow.
The Taoiseach's letter to ASTI president Mr Don McCluskey stated: "I confirm that the remaining payments in question will be refunded without prejudice to the position of either side". He stated: "All that is required is that the ASTI engage in the talks process to which it has already agreed."
Earlier a spokeswoman for the Congress of Catholic Secondary School Parent Associations, Ms Barbara Johnston, expressed her disappointment in the phrasing of Mr Ahern's offer. While hoping the teachers accept the offer, she criticised the Taoiseach for failing to state clearly his intention to refund the docked money without preconditions.
"Is this language conciliatory?" asked Ms Johnston. She said a protest march by parents would be discussed by the committees of the National Parents Council Post Primary on Saturday.
Ms Johnston said parents from all over the country have requested such a protest, possibly on January 26th, and have indicated they will travel to Dublin to take part in the march.