Parents "Demoralised" After Re-Opening Of Special Education Falls Through Again

A midlands father says he couldn't sleep last night with the news.

Teachers unions are defending the decision not to return to the classroom this week to teach children with special needs. 

The Department of Education says the decision was down to "a lack of co-operation" from unions.

Further engagement between the Department and unions is expected over the coming days to try reach an agreement.

Andy Pike from the Forsa trade union says the teachers are extremely worried about going back to the classroom:

The Education Minister says every demand made by unions representing teachers and  special needs assistants was met by her department. 

Minister Norma Foley says lockdown is a traumatic experience for children with special needs, with many regressing while out of school.

She says her Department agreed to requests regarding childcare and pregnant staff members:

 

Declan Monaghan's 17 year-old daughter attends the Saplings school in Mullingar. 

He says parents will be demoralised by the developments:

Meanwhile,

Opposition parties have questioned the Education Minister's ability to oversee the re-opening of schools. 

The opposition reaction has been scathing to the botched plan to re-open special education.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald saying it was an attempt at policy by press release:

Social Democrat TD Jennifer Whitmore saying Minister Norma Foley needs to re-open talks with unions:

With Labour's Aodhán Ó Ríordáin also urging the Taoiseach to intervene:

Micheál Martin rejected criticism branding some of it party politics, and saying the Minister had engaged with stakeholders to try to get this done:

Government figures are still targeting a full return to school from February 1st, but that plan looks to be in more difficulty than ever.

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