Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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168. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an application is being considered for persons (details supplied). [31094/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme is a reduced points mechanisms for entry into higher education. The scheme is managed and operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) on behalf of the higher education institutions who are autonomous bodies. Admissions under the scheme are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution determines its own admissions policy in relation to the schemes, the number of places they reserve and the allocation of those places.

Applications to the schemes are submitted to the Central Applications Office (CAO) who coordinate the scheme for participating institutions.  As such, my Department has no role in determining the policy criteria or operation of the scheme and neither I or my colleagues can intervene in individual cases.

I can however, advise the Deputy that there is a review and appeals process in place; to make sure that all DARE applicants are treated fairly and that the assessment procedures have been applied consistently. Any applicant made ineligible for DARE is informed in writing via email and via their CAO portal. They are also informed of the Review and Appeals process and I would encourage the applicant to do so by contacting the CAO, www.cao.ie through the ‘contact us’ facility where the DARE coordinator will respond directly and advise appropriately.