12-week Driving Test wait times leaves Learner Drivers Stranded and Frustrated

Man with rare condition issues plea to HSE to fund drug access

Lunchtime Live were contacted a few days ago by a concerned uncle who shared the deeply personal story of his nephew Barry, who has a rare genetic condition called Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, which causes tumours to grow uncontrollably in his body. To make matters worse, a new drug used to treat the condition called belzutifan isn’t available in Ireland, despite being allowed in the UK and Northern Ireland. Barry joined Andrea to discuss the impact his condition has on his life and what access to the Drug would mean for him.

12-week Driving Test wait times leaves Learner Drivers Stranded and Frustrated

Tallaght driving test center has been forced to cancel 160 tests due to a delay in the completion of tests.   The wait in Tallaght is up to 12 weeks, but the longest wait has been revealed in Raheny at a staggering 25 weeks.   Anyone in Raheny applying for a test now must wait until November 30th before being “invited” to select an appointment time in the following three to five weeks, which could bring their test date into 2027.   Ger Herbert, Motoring editor and Columnist with the Sunday Independent, Nadia Adan, Ashford Motors owner, Meghan O’Halloran and Newstalk's own joined Andrea as she is currently on the waiting list for a driving test aswell as listeners who have been effected by the wait times.

Reasons to be Happy: Kerry Monopoly, coffee tastes better on Wednesdays and new Tayto flavor

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…

Making Babies: 4th Trimester

Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at the National Maternity Hospital, joined Andrea to discuss the 4th Trimester – something that probably isn’t discussed enough. What it is ? And how to manage it.

Should Parents have to fork out extra to allow their children to participate in school sports?

We've received an email from a listener who says they were shocked and upset after receiving a letter from their child's school. The letter informed parents that any student who commits to playing a school sport will be required to pay €360 for one sport, or €420 if they participate in more than one. Is it reasonable for schools to ask parents to contribute these amounts, or does it place an unfair financial burden on families? Joining Andrea to discuss this further was  Michael Ryder is the Chairman of Underage Clubs Galway, Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw from Modern Irish Mum, and Siobhan O’Neill Whyte from Mams.ie [http://Mams.ie], Lorcan Mcloughin, Former Cork hurler, Eric Nelligan, Assistant principal in a Secondary School in Limerick as well as parents and listeners with their views.