These two schemes change what points a student needs, and every year people miss them not because they do not qualify but because they miss a date. There are three deadlines, not one, and they are weeks apart.
If there is a Leaving Cert student in the house, the dates below are the part to write on the calendar today.
Quick facts
- What they give
- Reduced points places on college courses
- DARE
- Disability that negatively impacted secondary school
- HEAR
- Social or educational disadvantage, by income and score
- Age
- Under 23 as of 1 January 2027
- CAO deadline
- 1 February 2027 at 5pm
- Scheme form
- 1 March 2027 at 5pm · documents by 10 March
DARE — the disability route
"The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a college admissions scheme for school leavers (under 23) whose disability has negatively impacted their learning and educational experience during secondary school."
It offers the ability to "Compete for reduced points places on college courses".
You must meet both tests: the "DARE Evidence of Disability Criteria" and the "DARE Educational Impact Criteria". Having the diagnosis is not enough on its own — the application has to show the effect on schooling.
The list of conditions is broader than most families expect, and includes "Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)", "Autistic Spectrum Disorder (including Asperger’s Syndrome)", "Dyslexia or significant literacy difficulties", "Mental Health Condition (such as depression, severe anxiety and schizophrenia)" and "Significant Ongoing Illness (such as cystic fibrosis)", alongside sensory, physical and neurological conditions.
HEAR — income, then a score out of 7
"The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college admissions scheme for school leavers (under 23) who live in the Republic of Ireland who have experienced social or educational disadvantage during secondary school."
"Applicants must meet the household income limit. The remaining HEAR criteria use a scoring system, and your total score determines whether you are eligible. However, if you are applying as a care-experienced applicant or as a member of the Traveller or Roma Communities, you do not need to meet Criterion 1 or Criterion 3."
Points come from a medical or GP visit card, a means-tested social welfare payment, the deprivation index score of your area and DEIS school status. "Maximum Achievable HEAR Score: 7".
At 5.5 to 7, "You can compete for HEAR reduced points offers through the CAO and will be prioritised." From 2.5 to 5 you can compete but are not prioritised. At "You are not eligible for HEAR but you can still be considered for CAO offers."
The HEAR income limits
By number of dependent children in the household:
"1–3 €58,470"
"4–7 €64,080"
"8+ €69,465"
And the addition families forget: "For each ‘relevant person’ (see below*), you can add €4,785 to your income threshold". If a sibling is already in full-time education, check the handbook before assuming you are over the line.
Priority groups
Some applicants are treated as priority groups within HEAR: "Students who are or have been care-experienced", "Members of the Traveller or Roma communities" and "Young parents".
Care-experienced applicants and members of the Traveller or Roma communities do not have to meet the income criterion or the social welfare criterion at all. If that is your household, do not rule yourself out on income.
Applicants who experienced homelessness during secondary school between 1 January 2025 and 1 March 2027, and who are registered on the Pathway Accommodation and Support System, receive a score of 2.5 — enough on its own to be HEAR eligible. The handbook has the detail.
The three deadlines
This is where applications are lost.
1. "Be under the age of 23 as of 1 January 2027."
2. "Apply online to CAO by Monday 1 February 2027 at 5pm. CAO applications open on Thursday 5 November 2026."
3. "No later than Monday 1 March 2027 at 5pm, indicate in your CAO application that you wish to apply for the HEAR scheme and fully complete all elements of the online HEAR application form." For DARE, that is the date to disclose the disability and complete Section A of the Supplementary Information Form, answering YES to question 1.
4. "Post your supporting documents to CAO so they arrive by Wednesday 10 March 2027 at 5pm and get proof of postage, for example, a free certificate of posting from the post office."
Note that the documents must arrive by the 10th, not be posted by it. The free certificate of posting is worth getting — it is the only proof you will have.
Common questions
What is the difference between DARE and HEAR?
DARE is for school leavers under 23 whose disability has negatively impacted their learning and educational experience at secondary school. HEAR is for school leavers under 23 resident in the Republic of Ireland who have experienced social or educational disadvantage. Both allow you to compete for reduced points places.
What are the HEAR income limits for 2027?
€58,470 for a household with 1 to 3 dependent children, €64,080 for 4 to 7, and €69,465 for 8 or more. You can add €4,785 to the threshold for each 'relevant person' — check the handbook for who counts.
Is a diagnosis enough for DARE?
No. Applicants must meet both the DARE Evidence of Disability Criteria and the DARE Educational Impact Criteria — the application has to show the effect on your schooling, not just the diagnosis.
What conditions does DARE cover?
A wide range, including ADD and ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, dyslexia and significant literacy difficulties, dyscalculia, mental health conditions, neurological conditions, physical disability, significant ongoing illness, speech and language disorders, and being blind, vision impaired, deaf or hard of hearing.
Do care-experienced students have to meet the income limit?
No. Applicants applying as care-experienced, or as members of the Traveller or Roma communities, do not need to meet Criterion 1 or Criterion 3.
What are the deadlines?
Apply to CAO by 1 February 2027 at 5pm; complete the HEAR form or disclose your disability and complete Section A of the SIF by 1 March 2027 at 5pm; and have supporting documents arrive at CAO by 10 March 2027 at 5pm.
What HEAR score do I need?
A score of 5.5 to 7 means you can compete for reduced points offers and will be prioritised. From 2.5 to 5 you can compete but will not be prioritised. At 2 or below you are not eligible for HEAR, though you can still be considered for CAO offers.