In Ireland, more than 5,500 children are currently in foster care. This could be because of illness in the child’s family, the death of a parent, neglect, abuse or violence in the home, or simply because the parent or family is not coping. Whatever the reason, foster carers are there to take care of children who cannot live with their own family, either on a short-term or long-term basis. In today’s episode, we hear from two foster carers Sinead O’Donnell and Sharon Kelly. O’Donnell, who lives in Donegal, began fostering during Covid and has welcomed two young girls (sisters) into her home. Kelly, who lives in Kilkenny has fostered children for more than a decade and has provided foster care to two children since birth. They tell Róisín Ingle about why they wanted to open up their homes, the challenges involved and what advice they’d give to anyone considering becoming a foster carer. 

But first Irish Times Opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the stories making headlines this week including American comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s decision to move to Ireland, why girls are getting their periods earlier and why Dublin City Council might elevate the Molly Malone statue.

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