The Central Applications Office (CAO) has released 2022 application data up to the Change of Course Choices closing date of 1 March.

The data shows applications by course classification, course level and by applicant address.

78,012 applications were received by CAO by the 1 February closing date – a decrease of 1,164 applicants on the previous year.

There was a total of 6,587 applications from applicants over 23 years of age – down 2,140 (-24.5%) applications from 2021.

8,713 applicants indicated that they wish to be considered for the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) – an increase of 874 from last year.

A total of 9,247 applicants indicated that they wish to be considered for the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) – a decrease of 769 from 2021.

Final numbers for DARE HEAR applicants will not be known until after the 15 March deadline for receipt of supporting documentation.

The data provided at this stage is interim data and is subject to change when late applications are taken into account and when the Change of Mind facility closes on 1 July at 5pm.

Speaking about the application figures, head of communications for CAO, Eileen Keleghan, commented: “The majority of CAO applicants will be permitted to use the Change of Mind facility when it opens on 5 May to add, remove or re-order course choices, which will result in changes to the figures released today.

“Late applications are also being accepted up to 1 May at 5pm”. To apply to CAO go to ww.cao.ie and click on Apply.