Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:1251. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for assistance with a DARE scheme application (details supplied). [33986/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 May 2026
Ceisteanna (1251)
Freagraí scríofa
Thank you for raising this matter Deputy and I would like to take this opportunity to wish the student well in his studies and exams.
The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme is operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA), on behalf of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and my Department has no remit for this scheme. Under both HEAR & DARE, each institution determines its own admissions policy, the number of places to be reserved and the the allocation of those places.
I facilitated a HEAR & DARE briefing session delivered by the IUA in the AV room, in Leinster House this month, for all public reps so that they have the correct details on how to make appeals on behalf of constituents.
The IUA advised at this briefing that the most effective way to get a response to any queries regarding the HEAR and DARE schemes, is through the college website [www.accesscollege.ie] and by contacting the individual institution to which the student has applied through the contact details on the website.
However, I understand that this can be a stressful time for students and therefore I asked officials from my Department to make contact with the IUA in reference to the personal statement, and they have provided the following information:
The section to provide a personal statement outlining how the student's disability has impacted their educational experience is supplementary in nature, and is primarily intended to support Disability Support Staff within Higher Education Institutions in understanding the potential supports a student may require should they progress to higher education.
While an applicant may include a personal statement in their Supplementary Information Form, it does not form part of the DARE assessment process. Applicants are not penalised for omitting this personal statement as part of the DARE eligibility assessment process.
As the application process is currently in the assessment stage, additional documentation cannot be accepted at this point. However, applicants who are dissatisfied with the outcome of their application may avail of the DARE Review and Appeals process following the release of eligibility outcomes at the end of June ([https://accesscollege.ie/dare/review-appeals/])
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.