Schools and some classes catering for children with physical and intellectual disabilities could reopen in a week's time. After talks with trade union representatives this morning, Minister for Education Norma Foley said that it is a "shared ambition" of both her's and the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) and Fórsa trade unions that special schools open again for students on 21 January, as well as special classes for children with disabilities in primary schools.
As part of a possible school reopening next Thursday, there will "flexibility" to cater for disadvantaged students. Schools will have discretion to bring children back to classrooms if they deem it necessary.