Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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525. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount it costs to run the HEAR and DARE initiatives on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37650/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) and Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) schemes offer places on reduced points and extra college supports, to school leavers who are underrepresented in higher education due to their socio-economic background or whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.

The schemes are managed jointly by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and the CAO on behalf of the participating higher education institutions. The IUA is responsible for both the criteria and HEIs’ participation in HEAR and DARE. Whereas the CAO is responsible for the operational aspects of the schemes, including the application, assessment and communications process.

My Department has no role in the policy criteria or operation of the schemes. However, I have been advised that the cost of running the schemes is circa €400k annually.