Leaving Cert 2022: More than 61,000 students receive results

CONGRATULATIONS, support and advice has been shared with the 61,107 students receiving their Leaving Certificate results.

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan TD are among those congratulating the 58,056 Leaving Cert candidates and 3,051 Leaving Cert Applied candidates.

Minister Foley said: “I would like to sincerely congratulate every student receiving their results today.

“You have reached this significant milestone in your education journey and that alone is an enormous achievement.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank your families, your teachers and your school communities for the support they have shown you over the course of your Senior Cycle pathway.

“Throughout your school journey, each of you will have learned so much and will have developed a myriad of talents. Be proud of that.”

Also sharing congratulations, Minister Madigan said that teachers, families, SNAs and other school staff will today watch on with pride as the class of 2022 receive their results through the Candidate Self Service portal or in-person.

“There have been challenges over the course of your Senior Cycle experiences, but you have all proven yourselves to be mature and resilient people”, she told students.

“No matter what results you receive today, you should be very proud of your accomplishments.

“Best of luck to you all in whatever you choose to pursue next, whether it is work, or further education or training.”

The Leaving Certificate candidate helpline is available from 2pm to 8pm on Friday, September 2, until Wednesday, September 14, and is staffed by qualified guidance counsellors.

The helpline can be reached on 1800 265 165.

The State Examinations Commissions Candidate helpline is also available for queries relating to the Self Service Portal on 1800 111 135 or 1800 111 136 between 10am and 5pm, September 2 to September 12.

A range of wellbeing resources developed by the National Educational Psychological Service can be accessed in the Leaving Certificate section of Gov.ie. 

National mental health charity, Turn2Me is also encouraging Leaving Cert students, who may be feeling happy, disappointed or overwhelmed, to use its free services.

Fiona O’Malley, CEO of Turn2Me, said: “Even if students are happy with their results and they performed well, they may still be feeling high levels of anxiety as they prepare for the next stage of their lives, whether it’s first year of college, a year abroad, going straight into the workplace or repeating the year.

“A period of significant transition in a person’s life brings feelings of trepidation and uncertainty.

“Many people find this period overwhelming.”

She added: “If you’re disappointed, you’re not alone.

“So many people will be in the same boat as you.

“Please, please, please use our services if you need to talk to someone – we have amazing counsellors, psychotherapists and mental health professionals working on our site, Turn2Me.ie, and we run 365 days a year.”

Looking forward to Leaving Cert celebrations, the HSE has encouraged students and parents to discuss and plan ahead.

The HSE advises that young people under 18 years should avoid alcohol altogether.

If a young person chooses to drink, HSE advice is to ‘plan ahead, monitor and minimise your alcohol intake and stay safe and avoid drugs’.

Dr Bobby Smyth, HSE Adolescent Addiction Psychiatrist, said: “Whether going to a party, pub or club, be aware to pace yourself.

“A single cocktail, for example, can contain up to 3 standard drinks. This takes a full 3 hours for your body to break down, so it’s easy to see how we can overdo it quite quickly.

“Taking water breaks between drinks is a big help, and eating before and during a day/night out is also crucial.

“If you’re starting to feel loss of control, it’s time to stop drinking alcohol.

“As always, it’s important to look after your friends. Don’t let someone go off on their own if they’re drunk or high, in case of an accident, or getting into an unsafe situation.

“Try to stay in groups of at least three, and make sure you check where your friends are if someone seems to be missing.”

For information, advice and tips visit the HSE’s Ask About Alcohol resource HERE.