Do you need advice, guidance, or just want an answer to a question?
Connect with a trained Youth Information Officer for free! Our online chat service is designed for young people aged 16 - 25, offering professional and personalised information on a wide range of topics. We want to help you get more information, learn about opportunities, and talk through your own situation with someone who can help.
Want To Chat?
The Youth Information Live Chat service is available between 4 - 8pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). The service supports 16 - 25-year-olds, parents and guardians, and people who work with young people. If you want to chat to a Youth Information Worker during that time, start a conversation now. If you would like to leave a message outside of these hours, we will come back to you by email the next time we’re 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 and 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.
How Can We Help With?
The Youth Information Live Chat can help you with any questions you have, from education, employment, your rights and entitlements, social protection benefits, college grants, accommodation, and more. We can give you information, answer your questions, and provide you with a second opinion.
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 An Garda Síochana. 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, text YIC to 50808 to start an anonymous conversation with a trained volunteer – 24/7. Standard text message rates may apply. Contact us for further information.
