The Hard Shoulder

Last week, a discussion was held on the show on what the Government should consider ahead of budget 2026 when it comes to health, but what about childcare?Joining Kieran to discuss is Tanya Ward, CEO of The Children's Rights Alliance and Louise Bayliss from SPARK.

Former RTÉ Broadcaster joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Gardaí have said today that they believe a missing boy in North Co. Dublin, who has not been seen for over three years, has died.The child is last known to have resided at The Gallery Apartments in Donabate. He would now be seven years old.Kieran is joined by Newstalk Reporter Emily Keegan, who is at the scene in Donabate, for the latest updates, and is also joined by Children’s Rapporteur Caoilfhionn Gallagher and David Hall, CEO of the Lifeline Ambulance Service to discuss.

As reports continue around clothing banks overflowing - is there any way to shift the public’s focus from fast fashion to more sustainable clothing?Freelance Broadcaster Meghann Scully and Sustainable Fashion Educator, Miriam Keegan, join Kieran to discuss…

Following the latest clampdown on dodgy boxes, where 15 retail outlets that help provide the service were targeted across nine counties, the question remains: can you really stop dodgy boxes?Joining Kieran to discuss is Kieron Sharp, Chairman of the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), and Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk & Consumer Columnist with the Irish Independent.

The number of students to have their Leaving Certificate and Leaving Cert Applied results permanently withheld because of cheating in this year’s exams has risen significantly.Figures from the State Examinations Commission show that 155 results have been permanently withheld because of cheating, more than double the 71 results initially withheld last year…Of course, cheating on your state exams is rightly looked down upon, but what about in your day to day life? Is it ever okay to cheat? And, just why do we do it?Joining Kieran to discuss this further is Senior Clinical Psychologist and Chartered Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland, Anne Keogh and Comedian Steve Cummins.

Unregulated AI chatbots pose a major threat to children online according to Ireland's child online safety charity, Cyber Safe Kids.To discuss further Kieran is joined by Newstalk’s Henry McKean. 

Over the past 5 years the number of children identified as victims of child trafficking has increased from 0 in 2020 to 10 in 2024…Recent legislative changes have led to better methods of victim identification, but can more be done to protect against trafficking?Liam Herrick is Chief Commissioner at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, and joins Kieran to discuss.

It's been around 8 years since the launch of Sláintecare, and as reforms have been introduced gradually to remove private practice from public hospitals - the overall goal of Sláintecare.The changes, however, may be leading to the ever-increasing cost of health insurance.Joining Kieran to discuss is Tony O'Brien, former Director General of the HSE and Sunday Independent Columnist.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach at ParentSupport.ie, to discuss tips and tricks to support your kids if they are experiencing bullying, and ways to spot it.