Are you looking for information, advice or guidance? Chat with us now.

Get answers to your questions through the Youth Information Chat service.

Some of the questions people ask us include:

• I’m not sure how to complete my CAO?
• How do I apply for Jobseeker’s Benefit?
• Are there any grants I can get for college?
• What are my rights in rented accommodation?
• I’m looking for a job and need help with my CV?

How does the chat work?

Our online chat service is as easy to use as WhatsApp and puts you in touch with a Youth Information Officer who can help you. Simply click the link below, fill out your information with your question, and start chatting.

When is the chat service available?

The chat service is available between 4pm and 8pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

Outside of these hours, you can send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as we come back online.

Who will you be talking to?

Our chat service is staffed by Youth Information Officers from centres across Ireland. Youth Information Officers are trained in providing information that is impartial, accurate, relevant to your question, in a non-judgemental and easy to understand way. The Youth Information Officers staffing the system are from YMCA Ireland, Crosscare and Youth Work Ireland.

The most important thing is your safety!

If you tell us that you are under 18 and are being harmed, are at risk of being harmed, or have been harmed in the past while under 18, we must report this information to Tusla – the Child and Family Agency – and possibly the Gardaí. To make these reports, we need your full name, your age and the county you live in. If you choose not to share this information with us, we will be unable to make a report.

Are you in a crisis?

This is not a service for people experiencing a mental health crisis, but if you need mental health support right now, free-text YIC to 50808 to start an anonymous conversation with a trained volunteer – 24/7.