The Leaving Certificate Helpline & Text Service
The National Parents and Students Leaving Certificate Helpline (1800 265 165) will be available free of charge from 22 August, offering vital support to Leaving Certificate students and their parents/guardians during the critical period when exam results and
CAO offers are released.
New this year: students and parents/guardians can choose to phone or text the helpline. Whichever option is chosen, an experienced guidance counsellor will be on hand to provide live, person-centred support.
The helpline is staffed by expert guidance counsellors who can provide support for issues including: calculating CAO points, rechecking examination results, accepting or deferring an offer, and what to do if a subject is failed. They can also offer guidance about repeating exams and viewing scripts, understanding course information and preference orders, and exploring all pathways including apprenticeships, private colleges, and UCAS/ UNICAS applications. Additionally, the helpline provides support on CAO procedures, registration fees, gap years, and further education and training options.
To connect with a guidance counsellor, you can call the Leaving Cert Helpline on 1800 265 165, or text GUIDANCE to 086 1800 685.
All calls are free of charge. Standard message rates apply The helpline will be open from 10am to 5pm on weekdays (22, 25 to 29 August) and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays (23 and 30 August). Text replies will be sent during helpline opening hours.
The Helpline is funded by the Department of Education and Youth, coordinated by the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, and supported by the National Parents Council Post-Primary and the Irish Second Level Students’ Union. The Helpline is sponsored by Trinity College Dublin.