I am advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs is very limited in the assistance that it can provide to individuals in Gaza who are not Irish citizens or immediate dependents accompanying Irish citizens. The decision to permit or refuse exit from Gaza is made by the relevant authorities on the ground. In this context, the Department of Foreign Affairs was able to assist a small number of student visa holders to request the necessary clearance to exit Gaza as they travelled to Ireland to take-up or continue their studies.
While there is no specific programme for those fleeing the conflict in Gaza, the International Protection Student (IPS) Scheme was introduced in 2015. It is targeted at three particular groups of students (asylum applicants, subsidiary protection applications and leave to remain applicants) although they must have been in Ireland for a period of three years before they can access the scheme.
Notwithstanding this, a number of Irish Universities are responding to requests from Palestinians fleeing the conflict, as part of the Scholars at Risk programme, in addition to specific institutional responses.
