An agreement was reached by the Department of Education, Fórsa, and the INTO.
Special schools will reopen from Thursday next week (11 February) and classes in mainstream schools for pupils with special needs will resume from Monday 22 February.
The news was revealed this evening by the Department of Education following an agreement between the department and the Fórsa and INTO trade unions.
"Following the significant decrease in the 14-day average of infection rates since mid-January and the much lower reproduction rate of the virus, NPHET further project that the public health landscape is expected to continue improving and will have improved considerably at the commencement of this interim plan," the INTO said in a statement.
On Thursday 11 February, special schools will reopen to pupils.
Pupils will attend on a 50% basis to allow for attendance of reduced numbers within the school setting, the Department of Education said. It also said these measures would be reviewed in line with public health advice.
On Monday 22 February, special classes in mainstream schools will reopen to pupils.
The Department of Education said talks will continue this week and in the coming period with stakeholders on further phases of return so that a wider reopening can be delivered for children as soon as possible.
“I am pleased that we are now in a position to give certainty to children with special education needs and their families on when they can return to school," Minister for Education Norma Foley said.
"Learning remotely is particularly hard for these children and I am acutely conscious that the loss of the regular school routine, social interaction with friends, direct face to face access to teachers and special needs assistants as well as therapy interventions have presented a huge challenge and a real risk of regression to the learning, social, emotional development and wellbeing of these pupils.
“It is hugely positive we now have a concrete plan in place to support these children to return to in-person schooling, in line with public health advice.
“I want to thank everyone who has engaged in this process, from the very beginning, to reach a solution and to meet the needs of these children.
“It is regrettable that a pathway for a return to in-class learning for children with additional needs in mainstream schools could not be reached but we will continue to work with our partners to provide a resolution for this cohort of pupils.
“The re-opening of our schools for all students remains a top priority for Government and I am committed to working on an ongoing basis with all stakeholders to achieve this, in line with public health advice.”
