Highlights From Newstalk Breakfast

The number of people in Ireland aged 85 and over is projected to almost quadruple in the next 30 years, according to the Central Statistics Office.  But what does that mean for the economics of a country, and how can we adapt? Shane discusses this further with  Aedín Doris, Labour Economist and former member of the Pension Commission and member of the Department of Economics at Maynooth University.

After a failure to reach an agreement yesterday, strike action by school secretaries and caretakers gets underway today. For more on this, Ciara spoke to Andy Pike, Head of Education at Fórsa.

All this week on Newstalk Breakfast we are exploring the Irish language and its place in Irish society.   Today, we are diving into the topic of education.   We ask is the model for Gaeilge in schools fit for purpose?   All to discuss with Shane O’Quinn, Chairman of Gréasán do Mhúinteoirí Gaeilge.

A new threat of higher electricity bills has emerged after the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities approved a rise in network charges.  We get the latest on this with Daragh Cassidy, Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs and curb exports to countries with digital taxes or regulations that affect American tech companies. With the EU Digital Services Act in affect, this puts Ireland and its tech companies firmly in the firing line, but how can we react? For more on this we heard from Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs and Columnist with The Currency.

Sport Ireland is set to develop a new “respect the ref” campaign in response to what it has identified as a rising incidence of abuse and disrespect towards officials. All to discuss with Rory Hickey Former Intercounty GAA Referee and GAA referees Administrator for Clare.

Have you ever seen a whale off the Irish coast? Sadly, your chance of spotting one is perhaps the lowest it’s ever been. Our reporter James Wilson went to learn why whales have deserted Ireland’s seas in their droves. 

A number of patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda are being informed that tests regarding pre-cancerous cells have been incorrectly graded. Martin Wall of The Irish Times joined Ciara with the story.

CAO round 1 offers are out today at 2pm, and thousands of students will know their next steps into the future.  Speaking to Shane this morning was Aisling Murray Fleming, DCU Guidance Course Director. 

All this week, Newstalk Breakfast is celebrating all things Gaeilge. Ciara and Shane were joined by Hector Ó hEochagáin, Podcaster, TV Presenter and Anchor.

There has been an increase in the number of International Protection applicants entering the work force, according to a new study from the Central Statistics Office.  The report also noted that non-Irish nationals, which include a number of International Protection applicants, accounted for 21 per cent of all employment in Ireland in the second quarter of this year .We discuss further with Cathal Malone, Immigration lawyer and Head of Legal Research at Thomas Coughlan and Co Solicitors.

Ciara and Shane this morning working from home and it's the social impact of full-time working from home .

Minister for Tourism Peter Burke has criticised hotels in Dublin for inflating their prices when there are large events on in the capital and said it is something he will be addressing in October’s Budget.     We get reaction from Michael Magner National President of the Irish Hotels Federation.

Four in ten Gen Z employees want to work in the office because they feel lonely at home, according to new research by Bupa.  But why are young adults rejecting working from home, when so many others embrace it?  With us to explain her own perspective is Newstalk’s Own Kathleen Keane. 

The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is warning prospective pet owners against buying dogs that originate from “industrial-scale” puppy farms.   It comes after the charity took in two puppies from one of these farms, who were bought just three days beforehand until the owners realised they could not properly care for them.  Speaking to Shane with more on this was Suzanne McGovern, DSPCA Director of Operations.

Ian Wilkinson, the sole survivor of a deadly mushroom lunch has told a Victoria Supreme Court sentencing hearing on Monday he felt "half alive" after losing his wife and two close friends.  He delivered the first victim impact statement in the case against Erin Patterson, who faces a life sentence for each murder and 25 years for the attempted murder. We get the latest on this case with Australian Based Journalist Aisling Moloney.

Over 33,000 new residential address points were recorded over the past year, while the national vacancy and dereliction rates have both fallen since 2024.  That’s according to a new report from GeoDirectory.  So how positive is this news, and is it likely to have an impact on house prices? All to discuss with Karl Deeter of Irish Mortgage Brokers.

All this week on Newstalk Breakfast, we are taking on a new challenge, with Irish week. To begin today,we were joined on the show this morning Patricia Nic Eoin, from All About Irish to gain some insight into where to begin when brushing up on our Cúpla Focal.  

The Wizard of Oz is being reimagined and shown in the billion dollar Sphere venue in Las Vegas. It's a merging of classic cinema and new AI technology To tell us all about it was Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly.

Up to 40,000 children under the age of three are currently on creche waiting lists. We discuss this huge number with Elaine Dunne, Chair of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers.