Disability Access Route to Education

DARE Webinar

10.00am-12.30 pm – Applicants will be able to ask questions via Pubble – DARE Application Information Session 2024 - Access College

Registration - DARE Application Session

MTU Kerry Campus is part of the DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) national admissions scheme which can allocate reduced points places to eligible school leavers under 23 years old with learning difference, health conditions and disabilities.

MTU Kerry Campus is committed to helping students to avail of its courses. Before choosing a course, applicants should contact the relevant Department to discuss the demands of the course/s they are interested in. They should check the entry requirements for the course/s, for example the level of Maths required and the number of honours subjects required. Applicants should also check if there are any other requirements for the course/s such as a portfolio or interview. Course details are available in the MTU prospectus or at: Course Search

Applying for DARE

For information about the process of applying to DARE including the deadlines and criteria, please check the Access College website: www.accesscollege.ie

We would encourage all applicants with learning difference/health conditions/disabilities who apply through the CAO to indicate and give details of their learning difference/health condition/disability. Giving this information is confidential and will not adversely affect their application in any way.

How are MTU Kerry Campus DARE Offers made?

You will be notified by email of the outcome of your DARE application by the end of June. For detailed information on the outcome of your DARE application,  log into the ‘My Application’ section of www.cao.ie.  If you do not receive any correspondence by July 1, contact a member of the DARE team. Full details of a recheck process are available on the DARE website: www.accesscollege.ie
If you are eligible for DARE you will then be considered for a DARE reduced points place under certain criteria.

To be considered for a DARE reduced points place, applicants must meet the DARE eligibility criteria and the course entry requirements.

Minimum points threshold:

For a Level 8 programme, the applicant must achieve a minimum of 200 CAO points.

For a Level 7/6 programme, the applicant must achieve a minimum of 160 CAO points.

Students with sensory disabilities (such as visual or hearing impairments) and students with physical disabilities will be prioritised when allocating DARE places.

DARE reduced points and merit offers are made through CAO and are in Round 1.

If there are places still available some reduced points offers are made in Round 2.

If you get a DARE reduced points offer this will appear as a regular offer online through the CAO.

You will then receive a letter from the University to inform you that you have received a DARE offer.

As part of the conditions of your DARE offer you are required to present to the Disability Support Service (DSS) and attend the DARE Orientation which will be run during Orientation week.

The DARE and HEAR Orientation sessions for new students take place in September

At this event, you will have an opportunity to meet the HEAR/DARE team and get some tips on getting started and accessing supports at MTU Kerry Campus. Students will be notified of the event details nearer the time.

What DARE places are available in MTU Kerry Campus?

MTU Kerry Campus has a guideline quota of 5% of reduced points DARE places on all first year full time undergraduate programmes with the exception of the BSc General/Mental Health Nursing (Level 8).  Two places in total are allocated on the nursing programmes each year i.e. one place is allocated to DARE on the Mental Health Nursing programme and one place is allocated to DARE on the General Nursing programme.  Many DARE students get enough points for the course of their choice each year.

Can I still get supports in MTU Kerry Campus even if I am not eligible for DARE?

• It is important to note that DARE is an admissions scheme and students may be eligible for supports through DSS even if they are not eligible for DARE. Students who declare through CAO that they have a learning difference, health condition or disability are advised to present to the DSS if they wish to avail of reasonable accommodation or other supports.
• We recommend that those students who are eligible for DARE but who get enough points for their course without availing of a DARE offer should still present to the DSS.
• Students who receive a reduced points DARE place are required to present to the DSS as a condition of their offer.
• More information about support and applying for reasonable accommodation is available in our Student Guides:
  • Guide for Students with a Physical or Sensory Disability, a Mental Health or Significant Health Condition
  • Handbook for Students with Learning Difference including Students with Dyslexia

DARE Information Events

Every year the DSS will organise information sessions on the DARE application process and they will also be available to answer queries about DARE at a range of other organised information events related to third level.  We advise students and parents to attend one of the information sessions organised as part of the nationwide HEAR/DARE Application Information Day, as these sessions will explain the application process in detail.

Online DARE Clinic

Saturday, 13th January 2024 from 10 am to 12.30 pm

MTU Kerry Campus Open Day - There will be a DARE/DSS presentation at this event

Nationwide DARE Application Information Day - For further information download the HEAR/DARE Handbook.

If you have further queries about how DARE operates within MTU Kerry Campus, please e-mail DareKY@mtu.ie  (please make sure to provide your name, date of birth and CAO number in your email).

For Further Information:

Disability Support Service for students with Disabilities/Learning Difference/Health Conditions