As higher education institutions, including universities and institutes of technology, are autonomous bodies under the relevant legislation, the management of their academic affairs, including admissions criteria, are matters for the individual institutions concerned. However, I understand third-level institutions can set aside a specific number of places in courses for individuals who wish to use their FETAC qualifications to access those courses.
Where this is the case, and as with the CAO, the results required to receive a place on the course would then be dependent on the number of applicants, and where there is a large number of applicants, a high standard would be required.
The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third-level admissions scheme for students with a disability. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions are regulated by the institutions themselves.
The Deputy may wish to contact the Irish Universities Association in this instance. Further details in relation to the DARE scheme including the eligibility criteria are available at www.accesscollege.ie.
