Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 7 September 2026
2185. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will approve visas for students from Gaza who have been granted scholarships to Irish universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60604/26]
View answer2186. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of concerns regarding the refusal of study visas to Palestinian students from Gaza who have secured places at Irish higher education institutions (details supplied); whether the exceptional circumstances arising from the conflict in Gaza are considered when assessing such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60661/26]
View answer2241. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applicants from Palestine for student visas for the 2026/2027 academic year; the number that were granted; the number refused; the primary reasons for refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61119/26]
View answer2284. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding any engagement he has had with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to the refusal of visas for Palestinian students (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61527/26]
View answer2289. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the actions he will take to address concerns related to the approval of visa applications made by Palestinian students (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61519/26]
View answer2290. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding reviews ongoing within his Department in relation to the refusal of visas for Palestinian students (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61524/26]
View answer2291. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding engagement he has had with Higher Education facilities in relation to the approval of visa applications made by Palestinian students (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61522/26]
View answer2305. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider granting study visas to Gazan students so they can commence studies in Ireland in September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60375/26]
View answer2309. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his current plans to increase the approval rate for visas for students from Gaza who have been granted scholarships in Irish universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60553/26]
View answer2405. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will review the process in assessing the student visa applications from students coming from Palestine to take account of the unique difficulties of making an application in that country in the context of war and genocide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62152/26]
View answer2431. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he plans to intervene in relation to Palestinian students who have obtained scholarships to universities in Ireland for this academic year but who have been refused visas to come to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62353/26]
View answer2638. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of visa applications received from Palestinian nationals who have secured places in Irish higher education institutions for the current and upcoming academic years; the number approved, refused and pending; whether any measures are in place to expedite applications from students offered places in Irish colleges and universities; and if he will consider flexibility in documentation requirements where applicants are unable to obtain records due to the conflict in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. [63947/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2185, 2186, 2241, 2284, 2289, 2290, 2291, 2305, 2309, 2405, 2431 and 2638 together.
I can advise the Deputy that I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and my Department continues to work closely with our colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure a coordinated national response to this situation. This includes working with Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance.
In common with the position applying to all non-EU nationals, the entry of Palestinian nationals is facilitated through the existing legal immigration pathways available. Palestinian nationals are visa-required and must hold a valid Irish visa before seeking to enter Ireland. Palestinian nationals may apply for a visa and for permission to remain in Ireland for a variety of reasons, including employment, education, or joining a family member in the State. Details of these legal pathways can be found on the Department's Immigration Service website: www.irishimmigration.ie/.
It is important to note that visa applications form part of a screening process designed to establish that a person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel, and all such applications undergo this process. There are no special arrangements in place for Palestinian nationals, nor are there any plans to introduce any. Each application is considered on its own merits, having regard to all of the information and documentation submitted, the circumstances of the applicant, the purpose of the proposed travel, previous immigration history, where relevant, and the requirements of Ireland's immigration policy and legislation.
Visa applications from Palestinian nationals are examined by the Embassy of Ireland in Tel Aviv, which processes certain visa applications under delegated sanction on behalf of my Department. Officials in my Department's Visa Division are in regular contact with the Embassy regarding visa applications from residents of Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Both Departments work together to ensure that visa applications from Palestinian nationals who meet the criteria for the granting of a visa are, wherever possible, processed as swiftly as possible.
All visa applicants are advised that responsibility rests with them to provide as much information in support of their applications as they consider necessary. Guidelines in this regard are available on our website. Applicants who carefully follow these guidelines have a greater prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance. The reasons for a refusal are outlined in the decision letter issued to the applicant. My Department does not collate statistics on the reasons for visa refusals.
The table below details all study visa applications, including applications for English language courses, received from Palestinian nationals. My Department does not collate information on the intended commencement date of a student's course. The figures cover the period from 1 January to 31 August 2026.
|
Short Stay (C) Study Received |
6 |
|
Long Stay (D) Study Received |
134 |
|
Short Stay (C) Study Granted |
5 |
|
Long Stay (D) Study Granted |
41 |
|
Short Stay (C) Study Refused |
<5 |
|
Long Stay (D) Study Refused |
108 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in 2026 may relate to an application received in a previous year.
* It is the policy of my Department not to release numbers where there are fewer than 5 in respect of any nationality, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.
* The Department does not collate information on the sponsorship details of applicants.
