Lunchtime Live

Despite efforts to reduce childcare costs, many Irish families continue to face significant financial burdens. Recent reports highlight that families paying up to €1,138 monthly for childcare receive a subsidy of €414, leaving them with a €724 out-of-pocket expense. To achieve the Government’s target of €200 monthly childcare costs, an additional €524 per child per month would be required. So, is...

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between. This week, Shane joins Andrea to discuss the 9 to 12 of pregnancy, the end of the first tr...

Big Brother is back, and this year, they want you! Big Brother bosses are keen for Irish contestants to apply. If you’ve got a big personality and aren’t afraid to be watched 24/7, this could be your moment. Andrea is joined by Ray Shah, former Big Brother Contestant, to discuss the application process, and what it’s really like inside the house.

Businessman Denis O’Brien has blasted working from home as “...a load of nonsense”. He claimed Ireland’s reputation as a place to do business is at risk, and working from home is now a threat to the economy, because it has caused a loss of competitiveness, energy, creativity and ideas. What do you think? Should we all be returning to the office? Joining Andrea to discuss is Neil McDonnell, CEO of...

An investigation has found that many children in Ireland may have undergone unnecessary hip surgeries at Children's Health Ireland… The probe could stretch back 15 years, raising serious questions about oversight, ethics, and patient safety. Joining Andrea to discuss this is Leader of Aontú, Peadar Tóibín and some of those affected.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dr. Justin Roche, Consultant Paediatrician at The National Tongue Tie Centre, to explain what tongue tie is, how it affects babies, and what can be done about it.

While you will no doubt be cheering on Norwegian singer Emmy who will be representing Ireland at the Eurovision semi finals on Thursday – there will be no harm in bopping to Croatia’s entry ‘Poison Cake’ appearing in the first leg of the semi-finals from Switzerland tonight.  That is because the song was co-written by Balbriggan school teacher and singer-songwriter Ben Pyne, who joins Andrea...

The Vintners Federation of Ireland has called for a 40% rebate in excise on pints of beer sold in pubs. They say a rebate on draught beers would help protect rural pubs as the sector struggles with high costs. What do you think? Should rural pubs be given a tax rebate? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Petmania Pet Store is hosting their inaugural ‘Ruby Heart Awards’ in which, among other categories, they will honour pet-friendly workplaces. One of the suggestions of how a workplace might be more pet-friendly includes offering employees pet bereavement leave. What do you think? Should businesses offer so-called ‘pet-ernity leave’? Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of the HR Suite, and HR & E...

It’s How I Live Well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life… This week, Andrea is joined by General Secretary of the Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others in Ranelagh Anne, Marie Genin, as well as player Monika Kurowska Tazbir. It’s a fun, non-competitive way for women to get active, meet new people, and enjoy Gaelic Football, no matter their skill level!

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

Kanye West’s track ‘Heil Hitler’ was swiftly removed from major streaming platforms in recent days, raising questions about censorship, platform responsibility, and the limits of artistic expression. Joining Andrea to discuss this is Alan Buckley, Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum and Dave Hanratty, Podcast Producer at the Independent and Host of the ‘No Encore’ Podcast.

Two teenage boys tragically died after drowning off the coast of Buncrana at the weekend. Matt Sibanda, 18, and Emmanuel Familola, 16, were playing football on Saturday when they went into the sea to retrieve a ball. Tributes have been pouring in from the Taoiseach and locals. Local Sinn Féin Councillor Jack Murray and more join Andrea to discuss.

As the cost-of-living rises, I’m desperately clinging to the ‘frivolous’ spending that gives me joy, so says Saoirse Hanley, writing in the Independent. Saoirse joins Andrea, along with Newstalk’s Ciara Tracey and Financial Adviser behind askpaul.ie , Paul Merriman, to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Laura Donnelly from the Newstalk Newsroom and Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill join Andrea to review Comedian Katherine Ryan’s ‘Telling Everybody Everything’. Image: Acast

Tributes have flooded in for Garda Kevin Flatley, who was killed on Sunday while trying to flag down a motorcyclist at a speeding checkpoint. The father-of-two, who had served in the force for 26 years, was conducting speed checks in Lusk, Co Dublin, when he was struck by the motorcyclist. The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, President and more have paid tribute to Mr Flatley, with Garda Commissioner Drew Har...

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Stylist Corina Gaffey joins Andrea to answer any of your questions when it comes to styling the stars!

As the date has closed for late CAO applications, a lot of people will be wondering what their future holds… But, the path isn’t always straight and obvious, there are many ways to skin a cat! Joining Andrea to discuss is one half of the ‘Talking Bollox’ podcast, Calvin O'Brien and Brian Mooney, Guidance Counsellor, Irish Times Columnist and Editor of Education Matters Yearbook.

Andrea is joined by the experts - tradespeople sharing simple DIY jobs you can safely tackle at home. Quick fixes, smart tips, and what to leave to the pros. Pete the Builder, Martin Glynn, Chief Executive of the DIY Academy and Painter Oisin Butler join to discuss!

If you’re looking for some healthy inspiration of any kind, then we have the guests for you! Wellfest is kicking off this weekend: Europe’s largest outdoor health and wellness festival, and there’ll be loads of amazing experts giving talks… Andrea is joined by three people attending: Sex Educator Jenny Keane, Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd and Dancer Lapree Lala.

From beach jobs to headbutts, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Dublin city centre’s only public toilets, installed at the top of Grafton Street five years ago, are to be shut. Dublin City Council say they have decided to remove the facility – which costs almost €400,000 a year to operate, due to reduced demand. What do you think about the public toilet situation in Dublin? And, indeed, throughout the country? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

With the gorgeous weather, you might be dreaming about weekend breaks… Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about all things campervans and holiday homes! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Roisin Lafferty, Founder & Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty Design House.

A new maths app is taking Ireland by storm! Andrea is joined by David Carr, Founder of the maths app Pi-Squared, to explore how his app is reshaping maths learning through technology, and what inspired its creation.

Over the last week, pressure has been increasing on the Camogie Association to reverse the rules around mandatory skorts. Today, the Camogie Association has called a special congress to vote on the issue… Joining Andrea to discuss this is Sinéad Wylde, Dublin Camogie Player.