Are you planning to apply to the CAO?
Do you stammer?
Then you may be eligible for DARE.

What is DARE?

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a college admissions scheme for school leavers (aged under 23 years) whose disabilities have negatively impacted their learning and educational experience during secondary school.

 DARE is for students, under the age of 23 as of 1 January in the year commencing Higher Level Education, who experience a negative impact on their school education as a result of a disability or specific learning difficulty.

Speech and language communication disorder is one of the conditions considered as part of the scheme, which could include having a stammer.

We know that the term 'disability' is not a term that every person who stammers identifies with, but for the purposes of the scheme, it means that your stammer can have a disabling impact and ensures you can fairly access further education if you wish.

If you’re an eligible applicant, you may be offered a place on your preferred CAO course, even if you don’t have enough Leaving Certificate points.

As a DARE student, you’re encouraged to register with student support services. Even if you don’t qualify for DARE, you might still be able to access a variety of academic, personal and social supports in your HEI.

We have more written in our Article ACCESSING HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORTS

Am I eligible and how do I apply?

To be eligible for DARE, you must apply for the scheme via the CAO, providing evidence of 1) being a person who stammers and 2) the educational impact this has had.

1. In order to provide evidence of being a person who stammers, you must submit an Evidence of Disability Form (available on www.accesscollege.ie or www.cao.ie) or an existing report completed and signed by a Speech and Language Therapist. There is no time limit on the report, so even if you have a report from when you were much younger, this can be included. If you do not have a report, your school or GP can complete the Evidence of Disability form.
2. In order to provide evidence of the educational impact this has had, you must submit an Educational Impact Statement (available on www.accesscollege.ie or www.cao.ie). This must be completed with your school, signed and stamped by your school principal or deputy principal, and signed by you and your parent/guardian.

It should outline how you meet the DARE Educational Impact criteria using 6 indicators:

1. Have you received intervention or supports in secondary school as a result of having a stammer?
2. Has having a stammer impacted on your attendance or regularly disrupted your school day?
3. Has it affected your school experience and wellbeing?
4. Has it impacted on your learning or exam results?
5. Has it caused any other educational impact?
6. Has it affected your literacy and numeracy attainment scores?
   

It can take a while to gather and finalise your documentation so you’re encouraged to start as soon as possible,

Applicants who are eligible for both the HEAR and DARE schemes are prioritised. HEAR is for students from a background of socio-economic disadvantage and, like DARE, offers HEI places on reduced Leaving Certificate points. You should apply to both DARE and HEAR if they are relevant to you.

If you have more than one disability, all of your disabilities can be assessed for eligibility under DARE as long as you provide evidence of them and the educational impact they have had.

For support with your DARE / HEAR applications, contact the Guidance Service in your school or you can link with the ISA by contacting us on info@stammeringireland.ie

There are lots of resources, guides, videos and information on the CAO website so we encourage you to visit this site for more information and guidance.

https://www.cao.ie/dare

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What is the closing date for applications?

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1st February 2026 (17:00) - Closing date for CAO applications including a DARE application.