The government plans to reopen special schools and classes next Thursday.
And Minister for Education Norma Foley has said she hopes all children will return to school at the start of February.
The partial reopening of special schools next week could also include some students with SEN in mainstream primary classes.
Josepha Madigan, Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, said there is now a commitment to get children with special needs back into schools by January 21.
She said in a tweet: "Following intensive engagement, I am pleased that there is now a commitment to work towards a return to school for students in special schools and primary school special classes - as well as some students with SEN in mainstream primary classes - from the 21st January.
"It is now vital that we continue to work with all stakeholders in education, including post-primary, to ensure that remaining concerns are addressed so that a partial return to school may begin from 21st January.
"The driving concern is and must continue to be the well-being, in the fullest sense, of the children who rely on specialist provision to receive their education and to progress. "
Ms Madigan and Ms Foley met with school staff unions and school management bodies this morning.
Ms Foley said in a statement: “The Government paused plans for a partial reopening last week recognising that the education partners were expressing concerns in relation to reopening on 11 January.
“A series of meetings with key stakeholders from the primary school and special school sector this week culminating in this morning’s meeting have been very positive.
"All parties share my objective to work together so that children with special educational needs, who find it very hard to engage with remote or online learning receive some face to face education in schools before a fuller reopening is possible.
“We are working together towards a phased return for children in special schools and a return to school for those in special classes in primary schools and children with significant additional needs in mainstream classes beginning on 21 January."
She added: "During this lead into a phased commencement of in-school services at primary level, we are working in parallel with post-primary stakeholders to address their concerns and recognising that post-primary schools present different logistical challenges if a partial return is to be possible.
"I very much hope that we can work together to set out a pathway for the return of all children at all levels of schooling at the start of February, subject of course to Government and public health consideration of what constitutes the safe movement of people at that point."
