More than one in five primary school parents and one in three secondary school parents say their children have refused or avoided going to school at least once a month.

The findings come from a new report by Barnardos, highlighting the growing issue of school avoidance and the challenges facing children, parents and schools when it comes to regular attendance.

The report raises concerns around the reasons behind children not wanting to attend school, and the impact this can have on their education, wellbeing and families.

So, what can be done to better support children who are struggling to attend, and what pressures are schools facing in tackling the issue?

To discuss the findings, we were joined on The Agenda this morning by Paul Crone, Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputies.

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A new report from CyberSafeKids has raised fresh concerns about children’s safety online, finding that there has been no reduction in underage children accessing social media despite new age-assurance measures.

The research found many children aged between eight and 12 still have accounts on social media platforms intended for users aged 13 and over.

It also highlights a sharp increase in the use of generative AI among young people, alongside growing exposure to scams, misinformation and other negative experiences online.

While parent-led campaigns have helped delay smartphone and social media use for some children, CyberSafeKids says this is not happening equally across all communities.

We discussed the findings yesterday with Philip Arneill from CyberSafeKids, and joining us on The Agenda this morning was Meath East Sinn Féin TD & spokesperson on Education and Youth, Darren O’Rourke, who attended the report launch and has serious concerns…

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Bus and train fares are expected to increase, with the National Transport Authority due to announce the full details later this morning.

The average increase is expected to be around 15%, although there will also be reductions for some children, students and young adults.

It comes after significant reductions in public transport fares were introduced by the previous Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green Party Government in 2022, including the 90-minute fare and reductions for young adults.

At the time, the Government was very much focused on making public transport more affordable and encouraging people out of their cars.

So today’s expected increase will raise questions about whether that policy is now being reversed — and what passengers are getting in return for paying more, and Fine Gael TD for Louth, Paula Butterly, joined us on The Agenda this morning to give us her reaction to this.

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US President Donald Trump is due to visit Ireland next week, with a meeting planned with President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin.

The meeting is expected to be a brief courtesy visit, with Trump also due to meet Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House during his time in Dublin.

The visit comes after some tensions between President Connolly and President Trump earlier this year, and there are likely to be several international issues on the agenda, including Gaza, Ukraine and the war in Iran.

Trump’s visit will also involve a major security operation, with much of his schedule taking place in Phoenix Park and Dublin city centre largely avoided.

So, what can we expect from the visit, and what will be the key political and diplomatic issues surrounding it?

This morning on The Agenda we heard more on this.

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Recovery, resilience and the power of community are at the heart of this week’s conversation with the Red Door Project in Drogheda.

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Orla Walsh, Kevin Lynch and Janette Bell from The Red Door Project to hear about the important work being done at the Red Door to support people on their recovery journeys, and why connection, creativity and having a safe space can make such a difference.

We also looked ahead to After Pinocchio, a special production taking to the stage at Droichead Arts Centre, and hear how theatre can provide an opportunity for expression, confidence and connection.

As Recovery Month gets underway, this is a conversation about second chances, finding your voice, and the people and places that can help us move forward.

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Meath Local Sports Partnership (Meath LSP) has launched a new grant scheme, the Meath Outdoors Club Development Grant to support outdoor sports clubs in the county to increase participation, enhance safety and reach people who are not currently taking part in outdoor recreation.

Up to €1,000 can be applied for equipment and up to €1,000 for training, these can include items such as safety and visibility equipment, kayaks, bikes, tents, adaptive equipment for people with a disability and coaching, leadership and instructor training courses aligned with the requirements of the National Governing Body.

Outdoor Recreation Officer at Meath Local Sports Partnership, Ross Kenny, joined us on The Agenda this morning to tell us more.

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HSE Dublin and North East is encouraging people in Louth and Meath who have recently been discharged from an adult inpatient mental health unit or hospital to take part in Ireland’s first National Mental Health Experience Survey.

The nationwide survey is open to eligible people who were discharged from participating adult acute approved centres including Drogheda Department of Psychiatry, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital between April and July 2026. Invitations have been issued by post, with participants able to complete the survey online using the QR code provided or return it by Freepost.

The survey is a joint initiative of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commission and the HSE, facilitated through the National Care Experience Programme.

John Farrelly, CEO of the Mental Health Commission, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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Labour Finance spokesperson and Louth TD Ged Nash TD has accused the Government of showing reckless disregard for both industrial relations and the public finances by failing to engage seriously with trade unions ahead of talks on a new public sector pay agreement.

Deputy Nash says “The failure by the Government to engage seriously with the trade unions who represent their own employees on a potential new public sector pay agreement is entirely on-brand for this administration.”

Deputy Nash joined us in-studio on The Agenda this morning to discuss this further…

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The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland is set to ballot its members on industrial action, up to and including strike action, in response to what it calls, the Government’s failure to table a meaningful offer on pay.

The ballot is part of a co-ordinated campaign by public sector unions affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). It follows the failure of exploratory talks between the Government and the ICTU to establish a basis for formal negotiations on a successor public service pay agreement.

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Ana Liffey, which has recently expanded its services into Louth, launched its 2025 Annual Report yesterday, and one of the key findings was a significant shift in the reasons people are turning to the charity for help.

For the first time, housing and homelessness have overtaken substance use and treatment as the most common support need, accounting for 27.8% of cases compared with 23% for substance use.

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