Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous and determine their own procedures for admission. The CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf.

Decisions on admissions are made by the higher education institutions who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore neither I nor my Department have a function in relation to such matters and it is not within my remit to intervene in individual cases.

The CAO website directs that appeals must be made in writing, be signed by the applicant and must describe the alleged unfair treatment. Appropriate supporting documentation should accompany the appeal with your Name, Address, CAO Application number, Date of Birth and Email address on the appeal letter.

Appeals should be addressed to: The Secretary, CAO Independent Appeals Commission, c/o Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway, Ireland.

The CAO is also a body under the remit of the Ombudsman.