AHEAD
Creating inclusive environments in education & employment for people with disabilities.

DARE (Disability Access Route to Education)

DARE is an alternative admissions scheme for third level education. It supports school-leavers with disabilities which had a negative impact on their school experience to access third level education. DARE offers reduced points places to these students. You can learn more about the scheme on the DARE website.  

Participating institutions reserve a certain number of places to offer DARE applicants at lower points. You can find a list of participating institutions on the DARE website.  The points reduction varies from year to year and course to course. It is not fixed and depends on the number of DARE applicants to a course and the number of places available. DARE applicants still need to meet minimum entry requirements for a course, such as a particular grade in Irish or maths. 

Who is DARE for?

DARE is for school leavers under the age of 23 who have a disability which impacted their education.

DARE considers the below list of disabilities:

  • Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)  
  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder (including Asperger’s Syndrome) 
  • Blind/Vision Impaired 
  • Deaf/Hard of Hearing 
  • Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) – Dyspraxia 
  • Dyslexia/Significant Literacy Difficulties 
  • Dyscalculia/Significant Numeracy Difficulties 
  • Mental Health Condition 
  • Neurological Condition (including Brain Injury and Epilepsy)  
  • Physical Disability  
  • Significant Ongoing Illness  
  • Speech and Language Communication Disorder 

How do I apply for DARE?

To begin applying for DARE, make a CAO application online. 

You'll need to answer 'yes' to Question 1 on the CAO application to show you want to be considered by DARE.  

You then fill out a form called a Supplementary Information Form (SIF).  

You will complete section A online. This involves providing some information about your disability and the supports you received in school. You'll need to write a personal statement which shares the impact of your disability on your education from your point of view. You can use bullet points if you’d like! 

You will complete section B, the Education Impact Statement, with your school. There are six indicators in the statement, and you must meet at least two to be considered for DARE. If you are applying to DARE on the ground on Dyslexia/Significant Literacy Difficulties or Dyscalculia/Significant Numeracy Difficulties, you must meet criteria six which refers to literacy and numeracy scores. You'll complete this form and get it signed and stamped as outlined in the DARE handbook.  

Section C is evidence of disability. You may submit a report you already have or you might need to get the DARE Evidence of Disability form completed by a medical professional. Depending on your situation, the evidence may need to be from a specific time frame.  

There are deadlines for each section of the DARE application to be submitted. Click here to view this year's deadlines on the DARE website. It's important to remember that it's your responsibility to ensure your DARE application is complete and submitted on time, not your schools. It can take time to collect all the documentation so it is a good idea to get started early.  

All institutions that participate in DARE have a contact person for applicants. Information days on DARE are also organised each year. You can view upcoming DARE events on the DARE website. The DARE website and DARE handbook are two useful sources of information for applicants.