Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Listener Karl got in touch with the show with an issue he has. After a mysterious €18 charge to his account, he has seemingly been signed up to some subscription service with a monthly direct debit. What should be done in this situation? And is it a scam?Sinead Ryan, Consumer Expert and host of The Home Show on Newstalk joins Andrea and Karl to discuss.

A survey has found that 88% of parents say that social media has made playdate hosting even more competitive.Parents now feel they have to ditch the fizzy drinks and choc-ices in favour of smoothies and veggie crisps.78% agree that the idea of having a few friends over for nuggets and a movie is no longer considered good enough, as the expectation is for better-quality and more nutritious food - as well as more diverse options.Is this something you have experienced?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Journalist Niamh O’Reilly, Emma Manley, Creative Director of women's wear brand Manley, Off the Ball’s Adrian Barry as well as listeners.

According to a HSE National Ambulance Service report, bystander CPR in cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest increased by 25% between 2012 and 2023.Around 70% of people will do CPR to someone they know, whilst 60% of CPR instances will happen in the home.Owner of First Aid for Everyone, Siobhan Butler, joins Andrea to discuss the do’s and don’ts when carrying out CPR.

This year on Lunchtime Live we’ve been looking at things that we can do in order to make ourselves that bit happier and healthier.This week, Andrea is joined by Brigid O’Hora, author of ‘The Home Sommelier’ to discuss how you can pick out the perfect bottle of wine in a supermarket!

Unemployed people who refuse to engage with social welfare ­employment services will see their Jobseeker’s Benefit cut by €90 under a plan quietly signed off by the Government after the Budget.At the moment,  people who refused to engage with department officials or ­return-to-work schemes would see their payments cut €44 a week.If a person re-engages with welfare services, their full jobseeker payment is restored.This would see that fine doubled. Is that fair?Andrea is joined by People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith and listeners to discuss.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea to tackle your medical queries…

Do you have any ‘vampire friends’? The friends that absolutely suck the life out of you, maybe with negativity, or they just leave you feeling drained after a catch up?How do you spot them, and more importantly, how do you deal with them?Mark Fennell, Life Coach, Speaker and Author joins Andrea to discuss.

Listener Tina Koumarianos got in touch with the show to share her issue. She has about 50 rats currently in her garden, and the problem doesn’t seem to be getting better.Trevor Hayden from Complete Pest Control as well as Tina and more join Andrea to discuss what should be done in this situation.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has accused RTÉ of “electoral interference” over a satirical joke aired on the Late Late Show.During the opening monologue, Late Late host Patrick Kielty spoke of “the Sinn Féin traitors, the show we all want to see” when joking about a new Irish version of the hit reality TV show, Traitors.Did he push it too far? Where is the line when it comes to political satire?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Paddy Prendiville, Editor of The Phoenix and John Lee, Executive Editor of the Daily Mail.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!This week, Andrea is joined by Food Creator Sinéad Delahunty, to look at how you can get the most out of oats!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

A new survey reveals almost 1,000 teaching vacancies nationwide in primary and special schools as principals struggle to fill posts.The survey carried out by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), Irish Primary Principals’ Network and the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association, says principals have become increasingly reliant on personnel who are not registered with the Teaching Council to cover short-term absences.So, why are primary and special schools across the country struggling to find staff?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Siobhan O’Neill White from Mams.ie, Rachel Harper, Principal of St. Patrick’s National School and Padraig Wilson McCarthy, teacher on a career break.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.This week, Andrea was joined by Ann Grimes, Duty Control Supervisor in the National Emergency Operations Centre in Tallaght to answer any of your dispatch questions!

The skies have been awash with activity the past few weeks, between the supermoon this week, the Northern Lights last week and the comet zipping through the skies this month.But, why is there so much action? David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland joins Andrea to discuss.

Some people might think there is nothing better than to curl up with a cup of tea and a thousand-page book, but Sir Ian Rankin would disagree…The bestselling Scottish crime fiction writer said there was “no necessity” for crime novels to be longer than 300 pages and that big books “get put at the bottom of the reading list”.What do you think? Are books these days too long? What about modern films? And TV shows?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Author Sheila O’Flanagan, Rory Cashin, Entertainment & Culture Journalist, Sinéad from Tired Mammy Book Club and more.

Are you part of the ‘Sandwich Generation’?This refers to middle-aged adults who are caring for both elderly parents and their own children.Nowadays, with older generations living longer and young people staying at the family home later in life – more and more people may consider themselves part of the Sandwich Generation. Does this sound like your experience?Andrea is joined by The Midlife Coach Alana Kirk and Professor Rose Anne Kenny from Trinity College Dublin to discuss.

From libraries in pubs to rats in Cork, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with his stories from across the country.

Rather than awarding people with the Freedom of the City in Dublin, should we instead have an honours system like they do in the UK?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Mary Manning, Dunnes Stores Striker, Alison Gilliland, former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Enda Brady, Journalist and Commentator, Suzanne Harrington, Journalist and Author and more.

From choosing the right frames and to how to hang them, the Home Squad are here today to help you make your art work at home!Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Roisin Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty to discuss.

News broke last night that Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer, has died aged 31 in Argentina after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires.Joining Andrea to share their memories of him is Spin1038 Presenter Michaela Hayes, TV Presenter Glenda Gilson as well as listeners.

Rugby star Simon Zebo has revealed that he doesn't want his children playing rugby, as he finds the head injuries scary.The former Ireland and Munster player, who retired earlier this year, said he doesn’t want his children following in his footsteps.He said: ‘I would not push them towards playing rugby at all. What it does to your body, the head impacts, that’s the scary side of it. I’ve seen a lot of players have to retire through it, and that’s very dangerous. I don’t like it.’Is he right? How do you feel about your children playing rugby?Andrea is joined by former Irish rugby player Shane Byrne, Eva Berg from the Secret Pilates and more to discuss.