Lunchtime Live

A third of children say that they can use screens “whenever they want”. This comes after new research carried out by CyberSafeKids asked children aged between eight and twelve years of age about their screentime habits.With children having access to screens, be it laptops, tablets, phones and TV: do we try to minimise their usage ,or is it an easy life just to leave them to their own devices (literally)?So, do you minimise your child’s screen time?Lecturer in Psychology and author of ’Perfectly Imperfect Parenting: Connection Not Perfection’, Dr Mary O’Kane and listeners join Andrea to discuss.

You have to start somewhere, and when you’re thinking about doing the floor in your home, what is the right way to go about it?Well, the Home Squad are here to discuss rugs and flooring!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Kate O’Driscoll, @victorianrathmines on Instagram.

We’re only in October, but if you think about it, Christmas is only 10 weeks away! And with Christmas comes the Christmas expenses…To get ahead of the panic buying and the overall stress of spending, Andrea is joined by Michelle O’Hara, National Spokesperson for MABS to give a step-by-step guide on budgeting for Christmas.

HSE Dental Surgeons will head to Kilkenny today to voice their concerns over Government proposals to divert children's dental care to private clinics.It comes after a recent survey found that 90% of private dentists would not sign up for a new Government scheme for children’s dental care.Many feel that they cannot afford to access private dental care and as a result, many children are being left untreated…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Chair of the GP Committee of the Irish Dental Association, and a Dentist at Kiwi Dental in Carlow, Caroline Robbins, as well as listeners.

Emma Fogarty is the oldest living Irish person born with Epidermolysis Bullosa: an extremely rare and painful disease.When she was born, she wasn't expected to live beyond a week, yet 41 years later she has just released a book called ‘Being Emma: Living my best life with Butterfly Skin’ in which she details the resilience she and those around her have shown throughout her extraordinary life…She joins Andrea to discuss.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Christy Moore’s album 'Ride On'!

The EU is pushing to scrap seasonal clock changes, risking the creation of a “time border” between Northern Ireland and Ireland.If it does become EU law, it would mean two different time zones on the island of Ireland for six months of the year.What do you think? Would this affect you? Is this a good idea?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss…

David Crosby has been through a lot. He has had a double lung and kidney transplant, fought skin cancer, and was placed in a coma from complications after getting Covid-19…And yet, a few days ago, David completed the Chicago Marathon!He joins Andrea to discuss this amazing feat…Image: Road Runners Club of America

Should bonfires be left in the past, or do they just need better regulation? While there are obvious health and safety concerns associated with them, there’s a lack of public Halloween events in Dublin.So, could regulated bonfires fill the gap?Joining Andrea to discuss is Independent Councillor for Dublin Central, Cieran Perry, Connor Ó Buachalla from the Leap Scarecrow Festival in Cork and listeners.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…