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, the INTO and Fórsa trade union that special schools open again for students on January 21st.

They would also like special classes for children with disabilities in primary schools.

Josepha Madigan, Minister for State at the Department of Education with Responsibility for Special Education, John Boyle, General Secretary of the INTO, Linda, who has a 12 year old son with autism and special needs advocate Lorraine Dempsey all joined Kieran on Thursday's edition of The Hard Shoulder to give their views.