943. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding a CAO application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53654/26]

Higher Education Institutions are fully autonomous in their admissions processes. The CAO is a private company limited by guarantee. Its function is to process applications for undergraduate courses and some postgraduate courses on behalf of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Enquiries or complaints regarding the CAO applications process should be addressed to the CAO directly. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO.

The CAO has an Independent Appeals Commission (IAC), to which recourse may be had by applicants who believe that they have been treated unfairly by CAO, and whose complaints have not been resolved by CAO.

Appeals should be addressed to: The Secretary, CAO Independent Appeals Commission, c/o Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway, Ireland. Further information is available on the CAO website at: www.cao.ie/index.php?page=appeal#:~:text=Appeals%20must%20be%20made%20in%20writing%2C%20be%20signed,Birth%20and%20Email%20address%20on%20the%20appeal%20letter

Should this outcome not be to the satisfaction of the student, they can seek the assistance of the Ombudsman, further details are available at: www.ombudsman.ie/en/