NPC helpline bids to aid worried students

The National Parents' Council has advised students worried about today's CAO offers to contact a special helpline set up to offer guidance.

Around 60,000 Leaving Cert pupils are receiving their first-round offers of college places today.

The helpline, which is manned by trained guidance counsellors, can be contacted on 1800 265 165.

Eleanor Petrie of the National Parents' Council said students should not be worried if they did not get the course they wanted to study.

"There are so many options out there and, if you didn't get exactly what you wanted, it may that you'll take a slightly longer route through to the career that you want," she said.

"You can get there and it's not the end of the world. This is just another step on the road, so don't be downhearted. Consider all the options you have."