Links to a range of useful information.
Transition planning should consider not only healthcare but also wider physical, developmental, psychosocial, mental health, educational, lifestyle, cultural and financial needs. The following links provide useful youth focused information and resources related to these additional needs.
Note: The word disability is frequently used to describe anyone with a physical or mental disability or a person impacted by long term illness. Many of the disability supports mentioned below are also available to people who have been impacted by serious or long-term illness.
General Information for Youth
spunout
spunout.ie
spunout is Ireland’s youth information website created by young people, for young people. Their website provides information about education, employment, health and wellbeing, managing finances, mental health, the LGBTI+ community, sex and relationships, and more.
Digital Youth Information Chat Service
youthworkireland.ie
Youth Work Ireland have a chat service available from 4pm to 8pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) for young people aged between 16 and 25. You can message a Youth Information Worker with any questions you have about education, employment, your rights and entitlements, social protection benefits, college grants, accommodation, and more.
YouthWork Ireland
youthworkireland.ie
Youth Information Centres throughout Ireland (YICs) provide a free, confidential information service to young people on a wide range of subjects including careers, education, employment matters, rights and entitlements, leisure, sport, travel and European opportunities.
Barnardo’s Ireland
barnardos.ie
Barnardos has a section on their website for young people, including a list of useful organisations and websites. They offer information on a range of topics from school, friends, and parents to depression, alcohol, and drugs.
Disability and Illness Entitlements
spunout – Entitlements for people with disabilities
spunout.ie
Youth website spunout provides information on entitlements for people with disabilities. Young people aged 16 – 25 can also contact the online chat service for advice – Monday to Friday from 4pm – 8pm.
Citizens Information Board (CIB) – Checklist for people with disabilities and long-term illness
citizensinformation.ie
CIB provides information about government supports and entitlements available to people with disabilities or illness. You can also contact CIB by telephone or by visiting your local Citizens Information Centre.
CIB has also prepared a useful Guide to Entitlements for people with disabilities/illness
Further Education and Employment
Disability Access Route to Education – DARE
accesscollege.ie/dare
This website provides information about an alternative pathway to higher education to young people whose disability may have affected their second-level education.
AHEAD
ahead.ie
AHEAD provides information for students with a disability on accessing college or further education, supports available while in college, and seeking employment after college. Students can also contact the AHEAD information officer with queries about disability in 3rd level education or employment.
Citizens Information Bureau Information Guide for School Leavers
Information for School Leavers 2026
This useful guide provides information for youth preparing to leave school, enter education or employment, and become more independent.
Mental Health
Text About It by spunout
text50808.ie
Text About It by spunout is a free, anonymous, 24/7 messaging service providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support. Text About It provides a safe space where you’re listened to by a trained volunteer. You’ll message back and forth, only sharing what you feel comfortable with. By asking questions, listening to you and responding with support, they will help you sort through your feelings until you both feel you are now in a calm, safe place.
LGBTI+
BeLonG To (for LGBTI+ Young People)
belongto.org
Belong To youth services is the national organisation supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) young people between 14 and 23 years in Ireland.
LGBT Ireland
lgbt.ie
LGBT Ireland provide a range of support services including an LGBT helpline, transgender family support line, online chat, and monthly peer support groups. They also provide information on a range of useful topics and help you find supports in your area.
Money and Finances
spunout – Money
spunout.ie
Youth information service spunout provides excellent information for youth about managing their money, saving, dealing with financial stress, and a range of other money related topics.
Citizens Information Board (CIB) – Checklist for people with disabilities and long-term illness
citizensinformation.ie
CIB provides information about government supports and entitlements available to people with disabilities or illness. You can also contact CIB by telephone or by visiting your local Citizens Information Centre.
CIB has also prepared a useful Guide to Entitlements for people with disabilities/illness
