Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2024
511. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a Disability is recognised by the CAO (details supplied); what criteria does the CAO require for proof of disability for DARE purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28253/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra512. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for his views on a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28254/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 511 and 512 together.
The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a higher education admissions scheme for Leaving Certificate students (under 23) whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education. The scheme is owned and controlled by the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) participating in the scheme. The HEIs determine the criteria for eligibility, not CAO, and CAO has no authority to make decisions on any particular disability.
Applications to the scheme are submitted to the Central Applications Office (CAO) who coordinate the scheme for participating institutions. Therefore it does not come within the remit of my Department and it is not open to my Officials to intervene in individual cases.
However, officials from my Department have been in contact with the IUA concerning this question and they have reported that the application submitted by the person to whom the Deputy refers has been assessed and deemed ineligible.
If the applicant would like to make a Review and Appeal application they must complete the online Review and Appeals application form by 5pm on 2 July 2024. This application form can be found under the 'My Application' section of www.cao.ie .
In addition they can contact the access officer of the institute they have applied to for any further guidance on the appeal process.
