From left, Mai Fanning, president NPCPP; Katherine Donnelly, education editor, Independent Newspapers; Andrew Brownlee, CEO SOLAS; Norma Foley, TD, Minister for Education; Beatrice Dooley, president, IGC; Emer Neville, president, ISSU, and Dr Jennifer Breann, THEA.

Leaving Cert helpline available from 11am on results day

National Parents Council Leaving Certificate Helpline 2021

The NPCPP Leaving Cert Helpline 1800 265 165, a free phone service provided to Leaving Cert students and their parents and guardians, opens tomorrow, Friday September 3 at 11am.

The helpline number is 1800 265 165 and it will operate from Friday September 3 to Friday September 10.

The service offers professional and confidential one-to-one support, advice and guidance on Leaving Certificate results, Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA), Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP), CAO offers, further education and training (including apprenticeships, traineeships and Post-Leaving Certificate courses), opportunities for further study abroad, SUSI and grant application processes and the State Examinations Commission Candidate Self Service Portal.

Approximately 60,000 students will receive their results on September 3, and the Helpline aims to support them, parents and guardians by reducing stress and anxiety in what is undoubtedly an exceptional year in Irish educational history through providing accurate information and counselling during this time.

The Helpline will be professionally staffed by members of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC), who will assist callers with up to date information on issues such as the appeals process, reviews and rechecks, CAO applications, non-CAO options and SUSI/grant applications.

The Helpline is sponsored by the Department of Education, Independent Newspapers and Independent.ie, and supported by the IGC, ISSU, SUSI , GAA Croke Park Community Fund, THEA and SOLAS.

Minister for Education, Norma Foley, said: “The Leaving Certificate helpline is a vital resource to students across the country and gives them the opportunity to seek the best advice available from qualified guidance counsellors who can provide them with reassurance, support and relevant information about their options.

“I know that the helpline provides a service to an enormous number of students every year and students can be assured that no matter your query, there will be someone on hand to guide you through the pathway to your next steps in education.

“I would like to thank the National Parents Council Post Primary and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors for operating the helpline this year in such difficult circumstances and continuing to offer this necessary support to students.”

Eleanor Murphy, Communications and Customer Services manager at SUSI, said: “SUSI is delighted to continue to support the Exam Helpline, which offers an invaluable service to students and their families.

“SUSI will be on hand to answer any questions in relation to grant applications including queries on application procedures and eligibility criteria.”

Mai Fanning, NPCPP president, has these words for students: “You have faced many challenges this year, and we understand that many students may be anxious at this time, but remember regardless of the results you receive on September 3, be proud of how far you’ve come. Have faith in yourselves that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”

The NPCPP Leaving Certificate Helpline 2021, 1800-265-165, will operate the following schedule.

Friday September 3 to Friday September 10, 2021

Friday 3, 11am-8pm

Saturday 4, 11am-8pm

Sunday 5, 11am-4pm

Tuesday 7, 11am-8pm

Wednesday 8, 11am-8pm

Thursday 9, 11am-4pm

Friday 10, 11am-4pm