The Leaving Cert 23 Helpline (1800 265 165) opens on the 25th of August, 2023 to coincide with the release of the first round offers from CAO. The IGC President, Tadhg Crowley, and Vice President, Catriona Rodgers, were in attendance with Minister Norma Foley to launch the helpline this year.

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD said: “The National Parent and Student Helpline is an invaluable resource for students and their parents/guardians. This welcome resource runs from the release of the results to the end of the CAO first round and affords students and their families the opportunity to speak to qualified and experienced guidance counsellors, who can provide relevant information, reassurance and of course support about their current and future options. I would like to thank all those who support the delivery of the Helpline”.

Tadgh Crowley, President of The Institute of Guidance Counsellors said: ”We congratulate students and their families on reaching this important milestone and would like to remind them that with more pathways and non-traditional entry routes, their future is bright. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate to provide this crucial service. Please avail of this support, our guidance counsellors are here to help.”

Áine Lynch CEO of the National Parents Council said: “The NPC is delighted to support the National Parents and Students Leaving Certificate Helpline and encourage students and parents to use the service if they have any questions or concerns when they receive their results. Many doors may be open to students, some of which may not be so obvious and there are many routes to reach a destination. The guidance counsellors answering the helpline calls will be able to help students with the support of their parents navigate their choices ahead”.

Shari Irfan, Uachtarán of the ISSU said: “Students receiving their Leaving Certificate results and awaiting CAO offers are under an immense amount of stress. These feelings are only heightened when students are met with unprecedented questions regarding their future and have nowhere to turn to. The National Parent and Student Leaving Cert Helpline is a valuable resource that can calm the nerves of both students and parents giving students that may be lost or confused somewhere to turn to where they can access support from trained professionals.”

Guidance counsellors can provide information and support on a whole range of issues, for example, calculating CAO points, examination result rechecks, accepting an offer, failing a subject, repeating and viewing of scripts. Students and parents may also have questions relating to course information, preference order, no offer, further education and training options, apprenticeships, private colleges, UNICAS, UCAS, CAO, registration fees and gap years. Those seeking support, information or reassurance can contact the Helpline on 1800 265 165 and all queries will be dealt with in a professional and confidential manner.
This year, over 61,000 students will receive Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied results on 25 August.

To speak to a guidance counsellor call the Helpline number: 1800 265 165.
The opening hours of the National Parents and Students Leaving Cert Helpline 2023 are:

Friday 25 August –  10am – 6pm
Saturday 26 August  – 10am -6pm
Sunday 27 August – 10am -2pm
Monday 28 August  – 10am -6pm
Tuesday 29 August – 10am -6pm
Wednesday 30 August –  10am -6pm
Thursday 31 August  – 10am-6pm
Friday 1 September – 10am-6pm
Saturday 2 September – 10am -4pm.