QUESTION: I hear there are changes to the third-level alternative admissions scheme for school leavers with disabilities. I was eligible for it last year but decided to repeat my Leaving Cert. Do I need to reapply this year and have my application assessed again? Or can I use my eligibility from last year when applying to CAO? How does this process work?

ANSWER: The Disability Access Route to Education (Dare) is a third-level alternative admissions scheme for students with disabilities. The route offers reduced-points places to school leavers who, as a result of their disability, face additional educational challenges.

If you were eligible for Dare in 2015 and are considering reapplying to the CAO to start college in 2016, you may carry forward your eligibility. This means you can compete again for a reduced-points place in any of the colleges or universities that participate in the access route.

Some students might wish to carry forward eligibility if they applied and were deemed eligible for the access route last year and, like you, are repeating the Leaving Cert or A-levels.

Your eligibility will only carry forward provided you apply to the CAO by February 1st, 2016. You must disclose your disability or specific learning difficulty in your CAO application and correctly complete section A of the supplementary information form no later than March 1st, 2016.

This involves answering Yes to question 1: “Do you wish to be considered for Dare?” on section A of the form. You will need to supply your correct 2015 CAO number under question 1 (b) so the CAO can locate your application details from last year.

If you are unsure of your 2015 CAO number, you should contact its helpdesk.

If you apply to carry forward your eligibility, you will be notified by email of the outcome of your application in March 2016. If you do not receive an email, you should contact the CAO directly before April 1st, 2016. Those applying to Dare for the first time in 2016 will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of June.

It’s a similar story for applicants to the Hear scheme: the higher education access route for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Anyone eligible in 2015 and reapplying through the CAO in 2016 can also carry forward their eligibility. They must apply to the CAO by February 1st, 2016, and indicate that they wish to apply to the access route by March 1st, 2016.

They are still required to complete all relevant sections of the 2016 Hear application form. However, they do not need to supply supporting documents as part of their application.

One key change this year is that applicants who are eligible for both Dare and Hear will be prioritised by the participating colleges for consideration for a reduced-points place.

• Further information on this and the changes to Dare are available on accesscollege.ie. Application advice clinics for both schemes will take place nationwide on Saturday January 16th, 2016. For locations and times see accesscollege.ie 
• Your questions answered by education analyst Brian Mooney. Email queries to askbrian@irishtimes.com