The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) is an independent public body, appointed by the President and directly accountable to the Oireachtas. The OCO is a human rights institution that investigates complaints about services provided to children by public organisations and promotes the rights and welfare of children and young people under 18 years old living in Ireland. Dr. Niall Muldoon was appointed Ombudsman for Children in February 2015 by President Michael D. Higgins. He was then reappointed by the President in 2021 for a further 6 years.