Office of the Disability Appeals Officer

The Disability Appeals Officer is an independent officer appointed by the Minister for Disabilities (or Minister of State as delegated). He or she provides an appeals service for persons who wish to appeal:

• against a finding or recommendation of a Complaints Officer of the Health Service Executive made under Section 18(1) of the Disability Act 2005 (“the 2005 Act”), or
• against the failure of the HSE or an Educational Service Provider (ESP) to implement a recommendation of a complaints officer of the HSE

The Disability Appeals Officer only processes appeals that are based on a HSE complaints officer's report. If you are unhappy with your child's assessment of need process, you must complain in the first instance to the HSE. For more information, please go to the HSE's website.

The Disability Appeals Officer also provides an appeals service for the HSE and Educational Service Providers to appeal a finding or recommendation of a Complaints Officer. Visit the Disability Appeals under Section 18 (2) page

The Statement of Strategy 2025-2027 for the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer is a two-year roadmap designed to establish the foundations for an improved, effective, and efficient appeals system. The plan acknowledges the considerable work ahead, but the focus is on getting the basics right.

The goals and actions outlined in this document are practical and targeted. They prioritise fairness, accessibility, efficiency, compliance, and quality assurance in the appeals process. Key initiatives include streamlining workflows, improving accessibility, and enhancing accountability through regular reporting and feedback mechanisms. This plan is not an endpoint but a starting point - an essential step toward creating a service that can evolve and improve over time in response to the needs of its users.

ODAO Statement of Strategy 2025-2027

View the full list of Annual Reports at: Office of the Disability Appeals Officer - Annual Reports

View the full list of Determinations at: Office of the Disability Appeals Officer - Determinations

FREEPOST

Office of the Disability Appeals Officer,

Block 1, Miesian Plaza, 50 – 58 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, D02 XW14

Email: appeal@odao.ie