Lunchtime Live

We've received an email from a listener who says they were shocked and upset after receiving a letter from their child's school.

The letter informed parents that any student who commits to playing a school sport will be required to pay €360 for one sport, or €420 if they participate in more than one.

Is it reasonable for schools to ask parents to contribute these amounts, or does it place an unfair financial burden on families?

Joining Andrea to discuss this further was  Michael Ryder is the Chairman of Underage Clubs Galway, Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw from Modern Irish Mum, and Siobhan O’Neill Whyte from Mams.ie, Lorcan Mcloughin, Former Cork hurler, Eric Nelligan, Assistant principal in a Secondary School in Limerick as well as parents and listeners with their views.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Pat Keville from Plant Store.ie, to discuss all your questions about indoor houseplants!  

Irish Mirror's Head of Sport Brian Flanagan recently thought he’d nabbed some bargain GAA gear, but all was not as it seemed.  

Brian joined Andrea to tell all about the scam.  

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) warns that dirty dishcloths, floor cloths or tea towels can cause microbiological contamination AS they are often used for multiple tasks, including wiping surfaces, drying hands, cleaning spills and drying dishes.   

Joining Andrea to spill all the tea towel life hacks is The Irish Examiner’s Digital Features Editor, Denise O’Donoghue.  

New EU proposals could spell the end of airline charges for cabin luggage, but Ryanair's Michael O'Leary is fighting back!

Andrea was joined by travel blogger Tara Povey as well as listeners to share their views.

At the start of the week, Andrea spoke to women whose stories were mentioned in ‘Making the Impossible Choice’ a book about abortion experiences.  

Today she was joined by Jennifer Ryan a member of LMC Bereavement Support to share her story.  

Katie Gallagher, Spin News Anchor, has her finger on the pulse for what’s happening and she joins Andrea with the things you don’t want to miss this week! 

Tuam has become the first town in County Galway to establish a €75 fine for drinking alcohol in public.  

Galway County Councillor Sean Cunniffe first brought the proposal in October 2024. Following public consultation, the Community Safety Partnership drafted the by-law and presented its report to councillors at a recent district meeting.  

The fine, which can be enforced by a community warden or An Garda Síochána, starts at €75 and must be paid within 21 days. Failure to do so will see the penalty increase to €150. If it remains unpaid, a person could ultimately be liable for a fine of up to €1,900. 

It’s time for Ask the Medic! Where an expert joins to answer any of your health-related questions.

This week, Andrea is joined by Dr Matthew Barrett Consultant Cardiologist and Clinical Governance Lead for Heart Health Check to discuss ‘Hearth Health Check’, a new comprehensive heart health check-up, and answer your questions.