The Central Applications Office (CAO) is a not-for-profit company created by the Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It processes applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on the behalf of HEIs. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. The processing and issuing of Round 1 CAO offers is contingent on the availability of Leaving Certificate results. However, my Department does not have a role in the operation of the CAO, or the determination of offer dates.