Nine out of 10 teenagers surveyed for a poll on political attitudes among the young were unable to name an MEP from their area.
Half were unable to name a local TD.
The National Youth Federation (NYF) survey of 1,014 young people suggests teenagers only have a passing interest in local, national and European politics, seemingly in part because of a low opinion of politicians.
Some 51 per cent of those surveyed agreed politicians are "in it for themselves", while just 16 per cent
disagreed. Three-quarters of respondents agreed that politicians "do little to improve the lives of young people" while 12 per cent disagreed.
Just 47 per cent of respondents said they had some interest in politics while 8 per cent said they were "very interested".
Despite this, 63 per cent of those surveyed said they believed the legal voting age should be reduced to
16 years. Moreover, 77 per cent said they would vote in the local and European elections on June 11th if they had the right to do so.
NYF chief executive, Mr Diarmuid Kearney, said the poll "clearly indicates that young people want to engage with local and global issues but find the political process and their links with politicians to be of little relevance to their daily lives."
He said the findings highlighted the need for a review of the Civil, Social and Political Education (CSPE) programme, as well as an "ongoing political education programme outside of schools".
The poll, which was conducted through questionnaires at youth services and schools throughout the Republic, showed that support for lowering the voting age to 16 years was highest among 15-year-olds at 71 per cent, falling to 68 per cent among 16 year olds and just 51 per cent among 17-year-olds.
The report said "the answers may indicate that 17-year-olds do not want those younger than themselves to have a vote".
Health, family and crime were the most important issues cited by respondents.
The war in Iraq, corruption in politics and car insurance were the least important.
