Philip Pirrip

Keep Special Schools Open

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@morningireland @EnglishRachael Special schools will open on 11th Feb. However they close again on 12th for mid-term "break" until 22 Feb. So with 50% attendance, children will have attended school for ONE DAY in nine weeks.

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@NormaFoleyTD1 Special schools will open on 11th Feb. However they close again on 12th for mid-term "break" until 22 Feb. So with 50% attendance, children will have attended school for ONE DAY in nine weeks. @josephamadigan

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@Raemmu @NormaFoleyTD1 Special schools will open on 11. However they close again on 12th for mid-term "break" until 22 Feb. So with 50% attendance, children will have attended school for ONE DAY in nine weeks.

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@rtenews He also added "my hope is that there are certain elements of education we would certainly like to focus on, particularly special needs.. much more vulnerable to lockdown & closure.. our hope is some approach to giving priority status to certain elements of the education sector."

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@CcoHse @CMOIreland

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@rte @morningireland @RTERadio1 He also added "my hope is that there are certain elements of education we would certainly like to focus on, particularly special needs.. much more vulnerable to lockdown & closure.. our hope is some approach to giving priority status to certain elements of the education sector."

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@NormaFoleyTD1 @josephamadigan @Education_Ire

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@rte @morningireland @RTERadio1 He also added "my hope is that there are certain elements of education we would certainly like to focus on, particularly special needs.. much more vulnerable to lockdown & closure.. our hope is some approach to giving priority status to certain elements of the education sector."

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@rte @morningireland @RTERadio1 He also added "my hope is that there are certain elements of education we would certainly like to focus on, particularly special needs.. much more vulnerable to lockdown & closure.. our hope is some approach to giving priority status to certain elements of the education sector."

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@AndyHoran012 @Mick96017306 @Independent_ie @CMOIreland Which of course does not work at all for many children with Special needs. Which is why in-school provision is required.

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@AndyHoran012 @Mick96017306 @Independent_ie @CMOIreland The "stay at home" instruction from @CMOIreland comes with exceptions, including for the provision of essential services. It's a general instruction to allow priority services open bit by bit. He specifically called for the provision of services for vulnerable children. None yet.

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@IrishTimes If it's on a voluntary basis, maybe some schools would open but unfortunately too many schools *won't* open, leaving many children without the service they need and are entitled to. This is what happens with the "July provision" which is voluntary for staff.

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@hatton_peter @Education_Ire @NormaFoleyTD1 @josephamadigan What was a terrible idea? Opening schools for our most vulnerable children, like they have in most European countries at least? What's different here?

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@Education_Ire @NormaFoleyTD1 @josephamadigan Who is in charge of schools? You or the unions? You should have pushed ahead and let those schools that could, reopen. Within a week of the Mother & Baby Homes report, here we are again abandoning vulnerable children. Union leaders a disgrace in this. @emma_okelly

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@GarNob @Education_Ire needs to push ahead otherwise no school will open. Our child's school has its plans in place to open on Thursday (50%), bus transport also in place. @emma_okelly

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@sarahcole211 Yes, schools are opening but for a fraction of the school population. Thanks for abandoning our vulnerable children, yet again. Neglect of vulnerable children isn't a story from the past - it's happening now! @INTOnews @forsa_union_ie

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@emma_okelly

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@MaryLafferty8 @Returntorealit2 @emma_okelly @rtenews Also, are childcare providers, who are open for some, not in similar environments?

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@MaryLafferty8 @Returntorealit2 @emma_okelly @rtenews Also, are childcare providers, who are open for some, not in similar environments?

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@MaryLafferty8 @Returntorealit2 @emma_okelly @rtenews Classes in special schools have very small numbers of children. Under the planned reopening even this was cut in half! Special schools are unique in the structure and support they provide for our children. They are open in other countries. Why not here?

[Philip Pirrip @pirrip_phil]

@karenmc168 @GarNob No, in UK (at least) schools are open for vulnerable children

[Gareth Noble @GarNob]

Sadly the voice of the child has been lost. Under @AnneRabbitte plan over 14,000 vulnerable adults have had their day services resumed. Forsa to their credit have facilitated their members in managing this. Why the difference for kids in specialized school settings?