Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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218. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the higher education access route; if this can still be accessed for the 2017/2018 college year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32302/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) scheme has been operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and regulated by the higher institutions themselves and not by my Department.

The operational management of HEAR has now transferred to the Central Applications Office (CAO).

I understand from the CAO that in order to be considered for the 2017/2018 college academic year, applicants must have applied to the CAO by 1st February 2017, fully completed their online HEAR application by 1st March 2017 and submitted supporting documents to the CAO by 1st April 2017.  HEAR applications for entry to college 2017 are now closed.

However, applicants applying to the CAO for entry to college for the academic year 2018/19 can apply to HEAR when the CAO application re-opens on 6th November 2017.

Any further queries in relation to making a HEAR application should be directed to the CAO at .