Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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866. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will permit automatic eligibility for young cancer survivors into the disability access route to education (DARE) scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33645/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The 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 is 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.

Whilst Cancer itself is not categorised as a disability, DARE has already included applicants who have Cancer within its Significant Ongoing Illness criteria. No applicant under DARE is “automatically eligible”. Each applicant must provide evidence of their disability and an educational impact statement as per our stated guidelines. However, for the first time, this year (2023) DARE has included, in consultation with the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), the following specific criteria in relation to those who are in remission from Cancer:

“Where an applicant is in Remission from Cancer, such applicants should submit a report (must be less than 3 years old, i.e. must be dated after 1st February 2020) confirming that the applicant had cancer and now is in remission.”