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A pilot programme which will train prisoners to retrofit homes gets under way today.   Prisoners close to release can undergo training in the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise and Wheatfield Prison in west Dublin.   It is hoped this retrofitting scheme will help reduce the risk of re-offending.   Andrea was joined by Damien Quinn, a lecturer, community worker and founder of Galway-based social project Spéire Nua and other listeners to discuss...

A new mental health bill in Ireland is expected to be the largest overhaul of the State’s mental health laws in decades.  Mental Health Reform groups have warned that the current legislation is at odds with international human rights standards.  The new legislation would strengthen regulation around people consenting to the type of treatment they receive.  It is also expected to regulate Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) as the majority of mental health services in Ireland currently fall outside the scope of regulation set out under the 2021 Act.  Andrew McGinley, whose children Conor, nine, Darragh, seven, and three-year-old Carla died at the hands of their mother, joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss why it doesn't go far enough...

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes from Cook Book Author and Recipe writer Sarah Butler to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week Andrea and Sarah looked at recipes for an Indian Chicken Curry and Crispy Chicken Goujons... Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Should flights be more expensive?  Ryanair's Michael O'Leary has warned that holidaymakers will face higher air fares this summer because of capacity constraints – but should flights be more expensive anyway to help the environment?  Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting background or working in different jobs.   Today, Andrea was joined by Clarity Mills, a Professional Dominatrix and sex educator...

A London museum is hoping to recruit a Taylor Swift superfan to join their staff and advise them on all things Taylor.  The Victoria and Albert museum is looking for insights into the culture and craftsmanship behind Taylor fandom. Things like handmade signs, friendship bracelets and other memorabilia associated with her ahead of the European leg of her Eras tour. 

Every day we scour the newspapers but often, many great stories from the regional papers don’t make the headlines. Newstalk's Breakfast Briefing presenter Shane Beatty has rounded up some of the best stories that you might have missed... 

This Saturday marks the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.  When the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, some predicted it could take as little as three days for Russian forces to capture the capital, Kyiv.  Andrea was joined by some Ukrainian's who have been living in Ireland since the invasion...

Would you like to see gaelic football, hurling and camogie at the Olympic Games?   The GAA revealed in their World strategy plan that they would like to get recognition from the International Olympic Committee and have their sports feature in future Olympic Games.  Andrea was joined by Roddy Walsh, Vice chairperson with London GAA, Karen Hegarty, Westmeath Ladies Footballer, Darren O’Neill, Former Olympic boxer and more to discuss

Mental health blogger and writer, Daragh Fleming joined Andrea to discuss an experience he has been having with a social media account that has been abusing him on social media. Dr Catherine O’Sullivan, lecturer in the Law School, University College Cork also joined the conversation on Lunchtime Live...

If you’re going through menopause, could you be paying too much for HRT?  Apparently the cost can differ wildly – and you might be overpaying. Andrea was joined by Catherine O’Keeffe is a Menopause Workplace Consultant, founder of Wellness Warrior, and creator of the Menopause Success Summit and Tom Murray, Murray’s Pharmacy in  Convoy, Co Donegal... 

It's time for Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history.  Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live...