The DARE Review
The Irish Universities Association (IUA), in partnership with DARE participating higher education institutions, practitioners and national stakeholders, is currently undertaking a national review of DARE.
This review is examining how DARE is working today, the experiences of applicants and stakeholders, and how the scheme can support equitable access to higher education into the future.
The review is evidence-led and informed by:
- Research and literature review
- National admissions data analysis
- Stakeholder engagement and public consultation
- Student, parent, practitioner, school and higher education sector feedback
The review will make recommendations for the future development of DARE from 2028 onwards.
Why Your Voice Matters
The experiences of students, families, schools, disability organisations and higher education staff are central to this review.
We want to hear:
- What is working well within DARE
- What barriers still exist for students
- How the application process and supports can be improved
- What the future of disability access to higher education should look like
Your feedback will help shape the next phase of DARE.
How can I get involved?
There are two ways to contribute to this review. You can do one or both.
Option 1 — Attend a Town Hall on Zoom
We are holding online consultation sessions throughout June and July 2026. Each session is 90 minutes and is designed for a specific audience. Sessions are held via Zoom.
Please see the times for all Town Hall sessions and links to register below.
Session 1
Audience: Disabled Persons Organisations
Date: Monday 8 June 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Format: Online via Zoom
Session 1B
Audience: Disabled Persons Organisations / Disability NGOs
Date: Tuesday, 28th of July
Time: 11 am – 12:30 pm
Format: Online via Zoom
Session 2
Audience: Students
Date: Wednesday, the 29th of July
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Format: Online via Zoom
Session 3
Audience: Parents & Guardians
Date: Tuesday 9 June 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Format: Online via Zoom
Session 3B
Audience: Parents & Guardians
Date: Tuesday 28 July 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Format: Online via Zoom
Session 4
Audience: Guidance Counsellors, Teachers and Support Staff
Date: Tuesday 9 June 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Format: Online via Zoom
If you need accessibility supports, please let us know when registering and we will endeavour to arrange them.
Option 2 — Complete the online survey
A short online survey is open to everyone who would like to share their views as part of the DARE Review. The survey takes around 15 minutes to complete and responses are anonymous.
The survey will remain open until 4:00 PM on Friday 10 July 2026.
Have Your Say on the DARE Review – Complete the survey
We understand that surveys can sometimes feel difficult to complete, particularly if you are unsure what a question is asking.
To support accessibility and preparation, we have created a preview document showing all survey questions in advance. This allows you to review the questions at your own pace before completing the survey.
Read the Full Public Briefing Document
To learn more about the DARE Review, including its scope, timeline and consultation process, please read the full public briefing document below.
Read the Public Briefing Document
Review updates, documents and resources
This page will remain live for the duration of the DARE Review and will host updates, documents and resources related to the review process.
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