Unions welcome delay in reopening as Taoiseach says 'schools are safe' Schools will now reopen on 11 January. By Garreth MacNamee Wednesday 30 Dec 2020, 6:55 PM Dec 30th 2020, 6:55 PM 33,496 Views 100 Comments Image: Shutterstock Image: Shutterstock THE REOPENING OF schools has been pushed back by a week due to the worsening Covid crisis. Unions have welcomed the announcement by Micheál Martin this evening that schools will now reopen on 11 January instead of the planned 6 January return. The INTO said it welcomed the “swift movement” by Government in delaying the return to school. Its general secretary, John Boyle, said his union will continue to work with Government and Nphet to ensure staff and children remain as safe as possible.