Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Following on from the violent home invasion of 93 year old Una Farrell and her sons in county Roscommon this week, Andrea was joined by listeners and Seamus Boland CEO of Irish Rural Link, to discuss if people in rural communities felt safe in their own homes.

Many women of a certain age are asked about their plans to have children. Andrea was joined by Marguerite Kiely, RSVP Magazine Art Editor, Margaret O’Connor ,Counsellor and Psychotherapist, and listeners to discuss if society can still be judgmental by those who decide to remain childless by choice.

With so many people struggling with their housing situation, rescue centers are finding they have more dogs then ever looking for a home. Andrea was joined by Gina Hetherington from PAWs, Corina Fitzsimons from Dogs trust and Sinead Murphy, to discuss why people still pay for dogs when so many need to be rescued.

Dublin venue Bar 1661 has been crowned Ireland's Bar of the Year for 2022. Dolans in Co. Limerick was the people’s choice winner. The pub is a big part of life for many Irish people and Andrea was joined by bar owners and listeners to discuss what is so special about the Irish pub.

People from across the country have protested to get better access to medicinal cannabis. Andrea was joined by GP's and listeners to discuss what changes in legislation could mean for chronic pain suffers.

Following the assault of a tourist in Temple Bar over the weekend, some businesses are calling for more Gardai to patrol the area. Alan Cooke, from John J Cooke Silversmith in Temple Bar, joined Andrea to discuss what more could be done to ensure better safety in the city center.

In Donegal, someone has been spray painting road signs to remove the English versions of town names. Dozens of place name signs have been spray-painted out in support of the Irish language. Andrea was joined by local counsillor, Cllr Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig, who supports the move.

Cash has become a less frequent method of payment in recent years. Paul Treyvaud from Treyvaud’s, Restaurant in Killarney joined Andrea to discuss if paying with cash could be a way of businesses avoiding having to pay credit card commission and could lead to a boost in profits.

Hazel Larkin posted a tweet about feeling disappointed in her achievements as she turns 49. She joined Andrea, Off The Ball's Colin Boohig and Barbara Scully, to discuss milestone ages and regret.

A Wallaby is missing after escaping near Omagh, County Tyrone. One of two marsupials which arrived at Glenpark Estate near Omagh, leapt over a fence after reportedly becoming startled. Andrea was joined by Owner of Glenpark Estate, Richard Beattie, to discuss what the public should do if it is spotted.

A new study has said women will lose five and a half weeks of sleep a year due to menopause. Disrupted sleep seems to be a symptom that affects most women going through menopause or perimenopause, Andrea was joined by Breeda Bermingham, Founder of the Midlife Women Rock Project, nurses and listeners to discuss their own experiences of menopause.

Thousands of children in Ireland could find out they’re without a seat in the school bus just a few weeks before school starts back. After the announcement that the services would be free this year to help with cost of living, there was a huge surge in families applying for a place. Andrea was joined by parents who are waiting to hear if their child has a seat on the school bus.

Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss if shoes should be allowed on carpets an, if its rude to ask visitors to remove their shoes before being allowed to enter carpeted area's.

Social care students in a Dublin college have been left outraged since learning they will not be able to be employed as social care workers when they graduate. Andrea was joined by students who spoke to describe their confusion and upset, upon hearing the news.

A headline in the Irish Independent really caught my attention this morning: ‘I had a passenger who completely lost it, he kicked in my door and threatened to kill me’. These were the experiences of one bus driver Paul Fitzpatrick who has been working as a driver on Bus Éireann’s Navan town service for the last two years. Do you work on public transport? What have you experienced? Are attacks on public transport becoming more common? And, how dangerous is it to work on public transport? Paul Fitzpatrick a Bus Driver in Navan joined Andrea Gilligan on the show this afternoon.

We’ve all been there- in the middle of a gorgeous wedding ceremony and a baby starts crying. Totally ruins the moment... Does the parent leave? Some do, and some don’t seem to recognize the social cues. Or what about when the invites go out and they don’t have the kids' names on them? we all have that friend who would try to bring their child anyway.

With 378 classroom vacancies in Irish secondary schools ad only weeks before children return to school – we’re asking, is teaching still an attractive job? Andrea was joined on the show by teachers who got in touch to discuss if teaching is an attractive job and some of the issues they face within the post.

Businesses across the country are feeling the effect of rising prices. Some fear they won’t survive. Finn Murray from the Hopsack – health store in Dublin and Kelly Lou Ging from Kelly Lou cakes in Portlaoise joined Andrea Gilligan on the show.

Every week, we give you the chance to get access to an expert- this week, we put your health insurance questions to Dermot Goode from Totalhealthcover.ie.

Green Party TD Patrick Costello says there is an urgent urgent need for more people to volunteer as foster parents. Andrea was joined by foster parents to discuss the experience and the rewards it can bring.