Between The Lines With Andrea Gilligan

On this week's 'Between the Lines' programme, Andrea is joined by a panel of experts to discuss the recent DCU all Ireland study of over two thousand primary school children on the island of Ireland which has found that one in four kids cannot run properly; one in two cannot kick a ball properly; and less than one in five can throw a ball. Together they discuss the benefits of a multi-faceted physical education system and look at the changes we may need to make when it comes to how we value physical activity in the lives of our children. David Gillick - Former international athlete Dr. Sarahjane Belton - Associate Professor and Head of the School of Health and Human Performance at DCU Dr. Johann Issartel - Associate Professor at the School of Health and Human Performance at DCU

On this week's 'Between the Lines' programme, Andrea is joined by a panel of experts to discuss the future of work in Ireland. Together they look at the issues which face people now as attitudes continue to shift in relation to what is expected from both employees and employers alike, finding the right balance between private and professional life, the values and attributes that Gen Z bring to the table, and how best business leaders might keep up to speed with the latest technological developments. Siobhan O’Shea, Client Services Director of Cpl Resources Dr Marian Crowley-Henry, Maynooth University's School of Business. Nik Healy, Solutions Director at Convergent  

On this week's 'Between the Lines' programme, Andrea is joined by a panel of experts to discuss the topic of mortgages in Ireland. Together they look at issues people face in their applications for a mortgage, obstacles people in both rural and urban areas face in trying to secure a home in the first place, whether they are first time buyers or not, as well as the ways in which consumers can save when it comes to switching or staying with their mortgage provider. Sinéad Ryan, presenter of 'The Home Show' here on Newstalk Frank Conway, qualified financial adviser & founder of Moneywhizz.org Brendan Burgess, founder of consumer website Askaboutmoney.com

On this week's 'Between the Lines' programme, Linda Mellon, owner of Dolmen Nursery and Montessori School in Co Carlow joined Andrea in studio to discuss the circumstances which led her to close her doors in protest over the increasing costs of insurance and together look at what changes might be needed in order to safeguard childcare businesses from closing their doors in the future. Marian Quinn, Chairperson of the Association of Childhood Professionals was in studio to talk through, among other things,  the different schemes available to childcare providers and we ask if it is feasible to make the sector public in order to better manage the costs faced by business owners and parents alike. Fine Gael Senator, the party Spokesperson for Children and Deputy Leader of the Seanad, Catherine Noone also joined Andrea to talk about the government's role in addressing the issue of increasing childcare cost for providers across the country and look at the positive steps that have been taken by the government to tack

On this week's 'Between the Lines' programme, Andrea is joined by a panel of experts to discuss the topic of the use of body cameras by Gardaí. Together they discuss the circumstances in which the use of body cameras might be useful for Gardaí on the street while dealing with potentially dangerous situations as well as issues surrounding the protection of personal data and privacy and ask whether the roll-out of the use of body cameras may be counterproductive to the needs of our law enforcement officers. Liam Hennessy - Garda Representative Association Rep for Meath & Member of the Uniform Committee Liam Herrick - Executive Director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties Eoin O'Dell - Barrister-at-Law and Associate Professor of Law at Trinity College Dublin

On this week's 'Between the Lines' programme, as a part of Newstalk's special focus over the Christmas period on drinking culture in Ireland, Andrea is joined by a panel of experts to discuss the issue of alcohol use and abuse in the country. Sheena Horgan, CEO of Drink Aware joins Andrea to discuss what Drink Aware do, the issues surrounding the consumption of alcohol in Ireland, tackling underage drinking, and how education, research, and outreach & engagement can affect real change. As well as that, Dr Ollie Bartlett joins Andrea in studio to discuss the legal aspects of public health, the public health act (2018), how Ireland compares when it comes to restricting the availability of alcohol, and the sponsorship of sporting events by alcohol companies. Clinical Psychotherapist, Stephanie Regan joins Andrea to discuss the changing drinking attitudes in younger people, the idea of sober chaperones, and how best businesses can avoid undue stress and anxiety when it comes to organising staff Christmas part

Newstalk becomes the first radio programme to use text-to-speech technology to broadcast a radio programme, called 'Living with a Disability', presented by Newstalk's-own, Steve Daunt sitting in for Andrea Gilligan. Steve has a speech disability, so presents the programme with the support of text-to-speech technology. To mark UN Day of the Disabled Person, Between The Lines gave a platform to 5 people to reflect on what it's like to live with a disability in Ireland today. Among the five was Robin Barnett, the UK ambassador to Ireland who spoke honestly about his childhood and living with a disability. The other four guests were Pádraig Naughton from Arts and Disability Ireland, James Cawley and Maryam Madani from the Independent Living Movement, and Freelance Journalist, Louise Bruton. They spoke about topics as diverse as growing up, finding love in the age of Tinder and all the things you would expect from a Newstalk Panel. They talk about these topics with their experience of living with a disability in I

On this week's 'Between the Lines' programme, Andrea is joined by a panel of experts to discuss the issue of direct provision as a part of a station-wide series. Together they discuss the history behind the system, the processing involved in taking people into the country seeking asylum status, its failings, opposition to the system, as well as the affect it can have on families and children in particular. Dr Liam Thornton - An assistant professor in UCD School of Law. Tanya Ward - Chief Executive of the Children's Rights Alliance Nick Henderson -  CEO Irish Refugee Council

On this week's 'Between the Lines' programme, Andrea is joined by a panel of experts to discuss the issue if commuter congestion across the country. Together they discuss what the biggest issues are facing commuters in both urban and rural communities, how infrastructure can be updated to better accommodate a growing population, and what plans should be put in place to tackle the issue in years to come. Joining Andrea is: Geraldine Herbert - Motoring Journalist, E-Mobility & Transport Contributing Editor with the Sunday Independent. Páraic Carroll - Assistant Professor in the School of Civil Engineering at University College Dublin. Pádraig Ó Céidigh - Independent Senator and member of the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport.

On this week's 'Between the Lines' programme, Andrea is joined by a panel of experts to discuss the issue of homelessness in Ireland. Together they discuss what can be done to stem the flow of the increasing levels of homelessness across the country and look to other countries such as Finland to see if their models of addressing these kinds of issues can be utilised by us here in Ireland. Joining Andrea is: Dr Paula Mayock, -Trinity College Dublin, assistant professor in youth studies  John-Mark McCafferty - Threshold CEO  Focus Ireland Director of Advocacy - Mike Allen   

On this week's 'Between the Lines' programme, Andrea is discussing the importance of play in a child's early development and asks those involved in the area what is currrently being done, as well as what could be done in the future, to help our children devlelop and grow in the best way possible. Joining Andrea this week were: Ciara O'Donnell - National Director of the Professional Development Service for Teachers Gillian Lake - Assistant Professor in Early Childhood Education and Chair of Postgraduate Studies by Research at DCU Institute of Education Valerie Gaynor - Manager of Creative Kids and Co in Walkinstown, Dublin

All this week on Newstalk, we’re saying enough is enough with the Government of Ireland’s 'No Excuses' campaign. On Between the Lines, Andrea Gilligan was joined in studio by a number of experts to discuss the issue of sexual harassment and sexual violence, and find out why sex crimes are on the rise in Ireland. On the programme: Noeline Blackwell, Chief Executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Dr. Maeve Eogan, who is a Consultant Obstetrician and the National Lead for Sex Assault Treatment Services right across Ireland

Andrea Gilligan was joined in studio by a panel of experts to look at the issue of mental health as a part of Mental Health Week. Together they discuss everything from pathways to care, the support systems already in place and what could be done in the future as well as the implications for those suffering from mental health issues following Budget 2019. On the panel: Cindy O’Connor - Director of Athena Mental Health Training Shari McDaid - CEO of Mental Health Reform Dr Mike Watts - Independent Recovery Consultant and former National Programme Coordinator of GROW

Andrea Gilligan was joined in studio by a panel of experts to look at the Health Insurance market in Ireland. Everything from prices rises, to consumer choice & the two-tier healthcare system. On the panel: Dermot Goode, TotalHealthCover.ie Dr. Brian Turner, Department of Economics at Cork University Business School at UCC Patrick Brennan, Director of Corporate Business with IHI Group

This week, Andrea Gilligan was joined in studio by a panel of experts to discuss the Government's Climate Action Plan. The plan was released last week and outlines a range of measures designed to tackle climate change.  But does it go far enough to reduce our carbon emissions? Joining Andrea to discuss was: Darragh McCullough, farmer and presenter of RTE’s Ear to the Ground Eamon Ryan, leader of the Green Party and TD for Dublin Bay Sout Dr Cara Augustenborg, Senior Fellow in University College Dublin’s Environmental Policy Programme

This week, Andrea will be asking what more can be done to improve the childcare sector in Ireland, what regulation is needed in order to safeguard our children's healthy development, and how the new National Childcare Scheme might affect parents and childcare providers alike across the country. Joining Andrea on the panel: Marian Quinn, Chairperson of the Association of Childhood Professionals Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children's Rights Alliance

Ahead of National Bike Week 2019, Andrea Gilligan was joined in studio by a panel of experts to discuss Ireland's cycling network. She asked if it is fit for purpose, how the infrastructure can be improved, and what needs to be done to get more people out on their bike. On the panel: Graeme McQueen, Head of Communications at Dublin Chamber of Commerce Conor Faughnan, Director of Consumer Affairs for AA Ireland Ciaran Cuffe, Green Party MEP for Dublin Janet Horner, Representative for the Dublin Cycling Campaign

This week, Andrea Gilligan was joined in studio by a panel of experts to take a look at the State of Maternity Services in Ireland. They focused on best practice, current services available, and where improvements need to be made. On the panel: Patricia Hughes, Chairwoman of the Midwives Association of Ireland Dr. Peter Boylan, former master of the National Maternity Hospital Krysia Lynch, Chair of AIMS, the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services in Ireland.

With plenty of coverage of the Election Count on Newstalk this weekend, we’re taking a look at the actual role and work of local councillors, and how local government works, or doesn’t in a lot of cases. Andrea Gilligan was joined in studio by a panel of experts to look at the role of local Government in Ireland. She asked if councillors should be given more powers and responsibilities, and higher wages. On the panel: Dr. Eoin O'Malley, Director of the Masters in Public Policy in the School of Law and Government at DCU Grace Tallon, Labour Councillor for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and co founder of '& Co.' Bobby O’Connell, Kerry Councillor and General Secretary of LAMA Episode previously broadcast on March 23rd 2019.

As the average age of the population continues to rise, nursing home and step-down care will become ever-more important to all of us. But how much do we really know about the nursing homes sector, how do we better utilize the care provided, what role to they serve and how do we go about getting the most out of our later years? We examine what services are available to you, the recipient and also family members. Joining Andrea Gilligan to discuss the issue is: Tadhg Daly, Chief Executive of Nursing Homes Ireland Tom Murray, Founder of Fairdealadvice.ie Jim Daly, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People