Share

cover art for Wednesday 26 February - Ireland's Special Needs Crisis: School Places, Services, & Political Deadlock

The Tonight Show

Wednesday 26 February - Ireland's Special Needs Crisis: School Places, Services, & Political Deadlock

Season 14, Ep. 64

In this episode, we examine the urgent shortage of services for children with special needs. Plus, the political deadlock over speaking rights in the Dáil. 


Join Gavan Reilly as he discusses the issue with:

  • Micheál Carrigy TD, Fine Gael
  • Claire Kerrane TD, Sinn Fein
  • Rebecca Meehan, parent and campaigner
  • Alan Kelly, Principal of Scoil Mhuire Naofa, Leitrim 
  • Niamh Griffin, Health Correspondent with the Irish Examiner

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 79. Tuesday 29th April - New 'housing tsar', Kneecap facing backlash and falling tourism figures

    46:00||Season 17, Ep. 79
    In this episode of The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy:🚨 Ireland's new housing 'tsar' - Government's latest proposal to tackle Ireland's housing crisis. 🚨 Kneecap under fire - UK politicians target the Northern Irish rap group over comments made about Tory MPs.🚨 Falling tourism numbers - CSO data shows a sharp drop in those visiting Ireland, however, industry representatives are disputing the figures. Guests:Martin Daly TD, Fianna FailMairéad Farrell, Sinn FéinSarah McGuinness, Political Correspondent, Irish Daily Mirror Mark Paul, London Correspondent, Irish TimesEoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO, Irish Tourism Industry Federation #TheTonightShow
  • 78. Wednesday 23 April - Ireland’s Wealth Divide, Lost Promises & Aid in Crisis – Who’s Paying the Price?

    46:07||Season 17, Ep. 78
    In this episode of The Tonight Show with Kieran Cuddihy:🚨 From Malahide to Skibbereen — new figures expose Ireland’s hidden wealth divide. Are rural communities being left behind?🚨 Plus — the referendum that never was. What happened to Fine Gael’s pledge to give Irish citizens abroad a vote in presidential elections?🚨 And with Elon Musk’s DOGE cuts shaking global aid efforts, is Ireland doing enough to protect development funding?Guests: Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State for Diaspora and Aid Michael Fitzmaurice TD, Independent Ireland Dr Karina Doorley, Associate Research Professor, ESRI#TheTonightShow
  • 78. Tuesday 22 April - Pope Francis and the Future of the Church

    46:02||Season 17, Ep. 78
    As Pope Francis is laid to rest in a simple wooden casket — a modest affair, in keeping with a humility that defined his papacy — we ask: what legacy does he leave behind? Over 12 years, Francis challenged tradition, spoke out for the poor, and confronted global issues from climate change to migration. But will the next Pope continue his reformist path, or mark a return to traditional values?Joining us for this in-depth debate are Jesuit theologian Gerry O’Hanlon, theologian and lecturer Gina Menzies, commentator with Gript Media Laura Perrins, and Alison O’Connor, columnist with the Sunday Times.Plus: as teachers struggle to afford life in the capital, we examine growing calls for a #DublinAllowance — should educators be paid more to work in the city?#TheTonightShow
  • 77. Wednesday 16 April - Soaring House Prices, Climate Costs & Stalled Wage Hikes

    46:10||Season 17, Ep. 77
    On this episode of #TonightVMTV – House prices have surged to nearly 20% above their 2007 pre-crash peak, fuelling affordability fears.Meanwhile, the Government’s climate plan is under fire for falling short of key targets — but who should pick up the "tab"? Plus, with plans to increase the minimum wage now paused, questions remain over whether low-paid workers will once again bear the brunt of global economic instability.Joining Kieran Cuddihy on the panel:Billy Kelleher MEP, Fianna FáilPaul Murphy TD, People Before Profit - SolidarityDaniel McConnell, Editor, Business Post
  • 76. Tuesday 15 April - Public v Private Sector & The Rising Cost of Unification

    45:59||Season 17, Ep. 76
    On this episode of #TonightVMTV – The Government is set to shelve minimum wage plans and other worker benefits like extra paid sick leave, as it aims to shield the economy from a possible economic storm. We ask is there a divide emerging again in the treatment of private and public sector workers? We look at the cost of a United Ireland with a new survey showing a growing difference in living standards north and south of the border. Plus rise of the machines, we investigate the growing AI creep across your data and privacy and ask are the robots also coming for your job?Joining Kieran Cuddihy on the panel:Colm Brophy TD, Minister of StatePeadar Tóibin, TD, Leader AontúMick Clifford, Special Correspondent Irish ExaminerElaine Burke, For Tech's Sake Podcast 
  • 75. Wednesday 9 April - Trade War Fallout, Trump’s First 80 Days, and the Airbnb Backlash

    46:09||Season 17, Ep. 75
    On this episode of #TonightVMTV – As the global trade war heats up, we speak to Tánaiste Simon Harris following his tense meeting with Donald Trump’s Commerce Secretary in Washington. With the EU hitting back with counter-tariffs, what’s at stake for Irish jobs, wages, and pensions as recession fears grow?We get live reaction from Brussels and assess Trump’s turbulent first 80 days in office.Plus, Kerry councillors push back against new government restrictions on Airbnb lettings in small rural towns – is it a necessary clampdown or an overreach?
  • 74. Tuesday 8 April: EU Counter-Tariffs, Recession Fears, and the Streaming Levy Debate

    46:03||Season 17, Ep. 74
    In this episode of #TonightVMTV we dive into the escalating international trade war as the EU strikes back with counter-tariffs — how will this impact Irish exporters? We speak to a major whiskey producer and discuss the political and economic fallout with our expert panel.As the government reluctantly mentions the "R-word" for the first time, is Ireland ready for a potential recession, and what’s the emergency plan to handle an economic downturn?We also explore the rising cost of coffee and ask: how much are you willing to pay for your daily caffeine fix? Plus, should the big TV streaming platforms pay the 'Netflix Levy' to support the production of more home-grown content?Join Timmy Dooley TD, Sinead Gibney TD, John Lee, Liz Carolan, Mary Sadlier, Craig Brady, and Larry Bass for an in-depth discussion.
  • 73. Wednesday 2 April - Trump's Sweeping Tariffs: Expert Analysis & Reaction

    46:27||Season 14, Ep. 73
    Trump's tariff war has begun.President Trump unveils sweeping tariffs targeting the world’s economies, and the fallout is set to impact trade relations. But, what will it mean for Ireland?Gavan Reilly, Political Correspondent, will have live updates and analysis from Leinster House.Joining Kieran Cuddihy to discuss is:Seamus Coffey, Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory CouncilDan O’Brien, Chief Economist, Institute of International and European Affairs Martina Lawless, Research Professor, ERSIMatt A. Mayer, US Conservative Commentator
  • 72. Tuesday 1 April: Tariff Turmoil & Ceann Comhairle Confidence Vote

    46:03||Season 14, Ep. 72
    On The Tonight Show:Ireland braces for economic shock as the Trump administration prepares to impose sweeping tariffs.Plus, we discuss the historic confidence motion in the Ceann Comhairle and whether the matter will finally be put to bed.Joining Kieran Cuddihy to discuss is: Barry Cowen MEP, Fianna FáilNiall Stanage - White House Columnist, The HillAlan Dillon TD, Minister of State, Department of EnterpriseGeorge Lawlor TD, Labour PartyProf Jim Stewart, Adjunct Professor in Finance, Trinity Business SchoolLouise Burne, Political Correspondent, Irish Mirror