Results 5,681-5,700 of 10,435 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

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.

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I suppose the reason people previously before this committee recommended trying to decouple it is to try to-----

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

Jim O'Callaghan: -----reduce those stakes. That is the purpose and one can see the logic behind recommending decoupling leaving certificate results from admission to third level.

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

Jim O'Callaghan: Certainly.

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I think everyone on this committee agrees with Ms O'Connor that is the kind of shared vision we want. Unfortunately, something has developed that is not allowing that vision to manifest itself. It is just seen as a hierarchical system where the successful ones are at the top of the points level. It is not viewed in terms of achievement and broadening the educational attainment of a student...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: I know, and I appreciate the answer. The objective in the future should be to recognise that if an examination date is given, then students are prepared for that. If we are trying to ensure that we are cutting down on stress, then that scenario would be stressful for a student. Sometimes we overinflate other types of stress. It would, however, be stressful if an examination was due to...

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

Jim O'Callaghan: Does the Chair want me to keep talking?

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 1244. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps that are being taken to ensure that the immigration and naturalisation process is protected from persons who are booking up available slots and then reselling them to persons that are desperate for an appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19407/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 1405. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that the HSE orthodontic report 2015 has not been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19448/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (26 Apr 2022)

Jim O'Callaghan: 1406. To ask the Minister for Health the amount that the HSE orthodontic report 2015 has cost the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19449/22]