Results 4,681-4,700 of 9,252 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: This committee is also looking at leaving certificate reform at the same time. There are great criticisms that could be made of the leaving certificate and CAO. If, for example, we had a system whereby 25% of places for medicine were limited to children of doctors, would that not be problematic?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Commemorative Events (3 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Yesterday marked the centenary of the publication of James Joyce's Ulysses. It is an event that deserves to be commemorated and recognised by this State. Over the past ten years, we have engaged with a lot of commemoration in terms of the important historic political events we have commemorated, including the commemoration of the Irish involvement in the First World War, the Easter Rising...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Commemorative Events (3 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister of State for the reply. I am pleased to hear that progress is being made in terms of the commemoration of Ulysses. I welcome the detail contained with the reply. It is fair to say James Joyce had a difficult relationship with Ireland. He probably would be surprised that, in a national Parliament, Members are standing up to commemorate the publication of his great book...

Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I do not think it is possible to overstate the impact and importance universities have had on the course of Irish history. We all know the role that was played by Trinity College over the centuries but there was also the establishment of the Catholic University of Ireland in the 19th century. That became the Royal University of Ireland and subsequently the National University of Ireland,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (2 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 90. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the requirement for children to wear masks in school can be lifted in the immediate future in view of the improved public health situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5293/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (2 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 145. To ask the Minister for Health if the requirement for children to wear masks in school can be lifted in the immediate future in view of the improved public health situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5294/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Legislative Reviews (1 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 457. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 will commence; the person or body to which interested parties can make submissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4286/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 458. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the basis upon which the four autistic spectrum disorder classrooms designated for a new school (details supplied) are all to be based in the junior school rather than split evenly between the junior and senior school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4287/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 647. To ask the Minister for Health if nurses working with a general practitioner practice in the community can be considered for receipt of payment of the bonus for frontline healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4346/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2020: Discussion (1 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the witnesses for appearing before the committee. I also thank Deputy Ó Ríordáin for his work on the legislation. There is a rather unusual provision in the legislation. Section 62(7)(e) lists the categorisations or issues a school is not entitled to take into account when admitting a child into school. Section 62(7)(e)(vi) states: "a student’s connection to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2020: Discussion (1 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does the ACCS believe that this rule is necessary still?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2020: Discussion (1 Feb 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: My own assessment of it from my own constituency, and I say this with all due respect to Deputy Ó Ríordáin, is that I do not believe there is a desire on the part of parents to perpetuate an elitism by getting their child into the school they went to. The issue is that parents want to get their child into what they perceive as the best local school, and it can irritate them if...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: Something we need to look at is the mandatory retirement age. Part of the reason people are leaving the Defence Forces is because they know they will have to retire between the ages of 56 and 60. At that age, many people are just getting into their prime - I think of Deputy Durkan here beside me. Could the Minister imagine if there was a requirement in politics that people had to retire...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: We would lose some of the best wisdom we have in the House. That needs to be looked at again. If people know they will have to retire at 56, they will start making plans for their careers in their 40s and we will lose great wisdom.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister for his answer. Recruitment and retention are considerably important issues in the Defence Forces. The focus of my question was to try to identify the proportion of commissioned officers who have more than five years' experience. The Minister was at the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, conference last year and he probably heard its general...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 99. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the proportion of commissioned officers in the Defence Forces that have less than five years’ experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3770/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 120. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current level of turnover or churn amongst Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3771/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: My question is about the proportion of commissioned officers in the Defence Forces who have less than five years' experience. The Minister will be aware of the importance of ensuring we have sufficient experience within the commissioned officer ranks of the Defence Forces. What is the proportion and does the Minister have concerns if the proportion of officers who have that level of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (27 Jan 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: We need to look at the politics of this in which people in this House have great expertise. If the relationship between the UK Government and the EU is resolved, that will end the dispute and internal politics in Northern Ireland. The reason politics in Northern Ireland is being fuelled by the row in respect of the protocol is that messages are being given that the protocol will change....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (27 Jan 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: As time goes on it becomes apparent the problems associated with the protocol are more to do with politics than policy. I refer to the politics internally between the UK and the EU on the one hand and then separately, the politics in Northern Ireland. It is to be hoped Brexit is a becoming less of a political issue in the UK, especially in Great Britain. If that is so, much of the tension...