Minister for housing Darragh O’Brien on the slowdown of new builds

On any given day in Ireland approximately 60,000 children do not show up for school, in some cases, there are perfectly good reasons but for some children, it’s school avoidance. We hear how to deal with that with Mark Smyth, Clinical Psychologist.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has signalled support for a decriminalisation of drugs, saying he backs calls from his own TDs for a health-led approach. Would a move towards proper decriminalisation of drugs here be wholly positive? To discuss Pat was joined on the show by Marie Byrne, Prevention and Addiction Counsellor and former Founder of the Aisling Group, and also Dr. Austin O’Carroll, GP working in homelessness and addiction for the last 25 years.

We hear from the golfers beset with fumes and overhead noise from Dublin airport’s new runway. Speaking to Pat this morning was Martin Kelly Honorary Secretary at Forrest Little Golf Club, Swords.

Almost 40% of asylum seekers who arrived in Ireland in 2022 had “false or no documentation” Barry Whyte investigates why.

How many listeners are named Brigid, or do you know many younger Brigids? The name has been declining along with the variations of Breda and Brid. We asked the public what are some of the more uncommon names and what they are calling their newborn babies. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been looking back at the popularity of the name.