Four leading advocacy organisations representing students with additional needs and their carers, Down Syndrome Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, AsIAm and Family Carers Ireland, have welcomed the announcement by Fórsa that they will advise SNAs to co-operate with the phased resumption of in-school services to children, pending a number of safety measures being undertaken.

They say the announcement is a positive signal, and the onus is now on the Government to re-double their efforts to reopen schools for students with special educational needs.

Adam Harris, the Founder-Director of AsIAm,  joined Shane Beatty: