As someone who benefited from the DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) scheme, I know all too well about the importance of accessing additional support during the CAO application. DARE is available for students with a disability or specific learning difficulty that has impacted their education.
HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) is for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who meet specific criteria.
In 2023, almost one in five students who applied to CAO on the basis of their Leaving Certificate were assessed for DARE and/or HEAR eligibility, and 13,650 offers were made to applicants across the entire Irish higher education sector.
Both schemes are designed to help eligible students gain entry to college and ensure they have access to available support once they arrive on campus. Below you will find details of both applications and how to apply.
HEAR applications
• Eligibility: You must meet several socio-economic criteria, such as: low family income, receipt of certain social welfare payments, attendance at a DEIS school or living in an area of socio-economic disadvantage.
• Benefits: If eligible, students may receive: reduced points offer for college courses; academic, personal, and financial support in college.
• Documentation required: Applicants must provide official evidence of their family’s income, social welfare payments, and other socio-economic conditions. These supporting documents need to be posted to the CAO office.
• Deadlines: CAO application deadline: 1 February; HEAR supporting documents deadline: 15 March.
• How to apply: Apply through the CAO application and indicate you want to be considered for HEAR.
DARE applications
• Eligibility: You must provide evidence of a disability and demonstrate that it has impacted your educational performance.
• Benefits: Eligible students may receive: reduced points offers for college courses; support services in college, such as assistive technology, note-takers, or exam accommodations.
• Disabilities covered: Includes (but is not limited to): physical or sensory disabilities; learning difficulties (eg dyslexia, ADHD); mental health conditions; chronic illnesses.
• Documentation required: Students must provide: Educational Impact Statement (EIS) completed by your school; Evidence of Disability (EOD) signed by a medical professional or specialist.
• Deadlines: CAO application deadline: 1 February. DARE supporting documents deadline: 15 March.
• How to apply: Apply through the CAO application and indicate you want to be considered for DARE.
When qualifying for DARE or HEAR, students are entered into the college system for additional support. Depending on their needs, students might be awarded readers for exams, extra time, and assistive technology.
It is important to get advice when filling in the application forms to ensure it is done correctly. School guidance teachers should be able to help students through the process or additional information is available on the CAO website access routes.
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