Results 4,381-4,400 of 9,148 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: In fairness to senior civil servants, they need to maintain and continue work in order to get their full pension. What should we do as policymakers to ensure there is not such uncertainty about what happens to senior civil servants? I know Mr. Fraser is going off and we wish him well in his role in London. I know the case of Dr. Holohan, the CMO, is slightly different but it is an issue...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Proposed Appointment to University Research Post: Department of the Taoiseach (27 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Mr. Fraser.

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Data (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 207. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of labour-related accidents due to sleep apnoea recorded in the State in each of the years 2017 to 2021, inclusive in tabular form. [20590/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 345. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he plans to take to reduce the inordinate queues that are occurring on a daily basis at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19279/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 386. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of road deaths and collisions attributed to sleep disorders; and the number of road deaths and collisions attributed to sleep apnoea in the State in each of the years 2017 to 2021, inclusive, in tabular form. [20215/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 387. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his strategy to reduce the number of road collisions due to sleep disorders and apnoea. [20216/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank our guests for attending the committee. My first question is for Ms Forster. The committee's purpose is to produce a report that will outline what we recommend as senior cycle reform, taking into account the expert evidence that we hear. In doing that we need to have an accurate assessment of the benefits of the leaving certificate as it is at present. Briefly, what are the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: We do particularly well in comparison to Northern Ireland.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: A number of witnesses have come before us and identified the main problem with the leaving certificate is that it is exclusively seen and used as a means to access third level institutions. Some of them have suggested that we should try to decouple the leaving certificate and the points race from admission to third level institutions. Does Ms. Feeney think the committee should consider this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: At least there is some certainty with the leaving certificate. If one looks to the United States or other jurisdictions, when it comes to admission to third level institutions, each institution can formulate its own admission practices.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: One of the legitimate criticisms that is made of the leaving certificate is that many students engage in rote learning in respect of certain subjects, such as English or history, whereas it is hard to engage in rote learning in other subjects such as in maths because it assesses one's capacity and ability to do mathematical questions. How can we overcome or get around the issue of students...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I apologise for interrupting, but is there no way the assessment method could ensure the student would not just engage in rote learning in advance of being assessed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: That is interesting. We talk about the stress the leaving certificate puts on students, and we all have to play a role in that - not just the political system and Irish culture but also the media. Do we overhype it as an event in the Irish summer cycle? It is like a summer school, with additional pages in the newspapers given to the issue. Is that common in other jurisdictions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Why does Ms Forster think that is the case in Ireland?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does it add to the pressure on students when the leaving certificate is elevated in the public mind to being such an important annual event?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: In fairness to the media, I do not think there is any intention to impose stress on students, but it has become so culturally embedded in the Irish calendar and society that it is a huge event in people's lives and is regarded as a significant annual event here. Is there anything we as Oireachtas Members could do to make it less stressful, or will it always be the case that the examination...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: When Mr. Slattery says high stakes, is he talking about it being seen as determining the future career path of a young person?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Yes.