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Access to higher education
DARE

South East Technological University is part of the DARE programme. DARE is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education. DARE offers reduced points places to school leavers who, as a result of having a disability, have experienced additional educational challenges in second level education. 

DARE is for school leavers with a disability under the age of 23yrs as of January 1st 2024, who have been educationally impacted as a result of disability. To be eligible for DARE you must meet both the DARE Educational Impact criteria and DARE Evidence of Disability criteria. 

The following disabilities are considered under the DARE scheme:

  • 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
  • Dyscalculia/ Significant Numeracy Difficulties
  • Dyslexia/ Significant Literacy Difficulties
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Neurological Condition (including Brain Injury and Epilepsy)
  • Physical Disability
  • Significant Ongoing Illness
  • Speech and Language Communication Disorder

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

There are a number of valuable online resources available to help you with a DARE application. A step by step guide on how to make a DARE application, information on application deadlines, DARE eligibility criteria and a variety of other information materials can be found on the DARE website.

To view a video on how to complete your DARE application click here . To participate in a demo CAO application including ticking the box for disability, completion of section A and viewing of sections B and C of the DARE application form click here. 

Entry Requirements

  • Students who are eligible under DARE must satisfy the minimum entry requirements for admission to South East Technological University and the specific subject requirements for the courses to which they are applying. Candidates can only be considered for admission to South East Technological University where they have included a SETU course on their CAO application.
  • All students are encouraged to check the entry requirements of their chosen course, for example the level of maths required or the number of honours subjects required etc.  Students are also encouraged to contact the relevant academic department to discuss the demands of the course they are interested in.
  • Please note, SETU run a maths entry exam which is designed to assist students who have not achieved the required grade in maths for entry into the University. This provides a “second chance” for students to achieve that grade by attempting a paper comparable to the leaving certificate ordinary level paper. The content of this paper will be based on the leaving certificate (ordinary level) syllabus and is open to all Leaving Certificate applicants including those students who sat Foundation maths. 

DARE applicants are informed by the CAO at the end of June if they are eligible or not for the DARE scheme. Full details of the DARE review and appeals process can be found here.

Please note:

  • Candidates deemed DARE eligible by the CAO must satisfy the minimum entry requirements for admission to SETU and the specific subject requirements for the courses to which they have applied.
  • DARE reduced points and merit offers are made through the CAO and are issued in Round 1.
  • If you get a DARE reduced points offer this will appear as a regular offer online through CAO.
  • You will then receive a letter from the university to inform you that you have received a DARE offer and that you must register with the South East Technological University Disability Office. 

It is important to note that DARE is an admissions scheme and students may be eligible for supports even if they are not eligible for DARE. 

DARE eligible students must register fully with the Disability Office in order to receive disability supports.

It is recommended that those students who are eligible for DARE and get enough points for their course should still register with the Disability Office in SETU.

Applying to DARE can seem like a daunting process. The DARE handbook and the DARE website provide information to help you complete your DARE application. That said, you may have more questions. You can check the Frequently Asked Questions section of the DARE website here. 

It is best to contact the CAO if you have questions about making your CAO application or about the Supplementary Information Form.

If you have questions about the documents you need for DARE you can contact a DARE advisor by emailing:

The provision of supports to students with disabilities at SETU is not related to their eligibility for DARE. All prospective students are encouraged to make contact with the Access Office as soon as they can to arrange academic supports.   

All new students with disabilities are entitled to a needs assessment to determine their academic support requirements. The Access Office in Student Services co-ordinates individual academic supports for full-time students with special requirements. These supports may include the provision of assistive technology, learning support, exam accommodations or equipment.

The Learning Support Tutor provides support for students with disabilities around their assignments, reports, exam preparation and research for their course. This can be both on an individual basis or in workshops, assisting students with their assignment planning and writing skills, planning course assignments, and managing course deadlines. Learning Support also co-ordinates Assistive Technology to enable students to access and complete their academic work independently.

To access Learning Support, students must register their disability with the Access Office, and make an appointment in the Student Services Office for a needs assessment.

Carlow and Wexford Campuses disability office contacts

There are many supports available to students with disabilities at SETU in Waterford. To avail of supports, students are invited to register with the Disability Office and participate in a needs assessment. A needs assessment involves meeting the Disability Officer and discussing your disability along with the demands of your chosen programme of study. Post entry disability supports, known as ‘reasonable accommodations’ are then agreed. Reasonable accommodations can include:

  • Academic Skills Support
  • Assistive Technology
  • Exam Accommodations
  • Access to an ASD Educational Support Worker
  • Access to an Academic Personal Assistant

Evidence of disability is required for registration with the Disability Office. When preparing your evidence of disability documentation, please make sure that it has been completed by the appropriate medical professional for your disability. A list of the appropriate professionals for each disability type (e.g. Blind/vision impaired or dyslexia) is provided here Evidence of Disability.

After you have prepared your documents you must make an appointment by emailing [email protected]  Documents are not accepted by post or email and are only accepted during needs assessment appointments.

Waterford Campuses disability office contacts

Laura Hartrey - Disability Officer / Coordinator

  • Tel: 051 302871                                                      
  • Email: [email protected]

Janet O’Neill - Assistive Technologist

Ruth Treacy - Administrative Assistant