Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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58. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available for those students fleeing war from Gaza now studying in Irish institutions. [26570/24]

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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We have seen huge solidarity with the people of Gaza across Ireland. We have also seen that solidarity in our universities at the likes of Trinity, UCD and UCC. We also have seen students who have fled Gaza and who are now studying in Irish institutions. That is extremely welcome and I am interested to learn what supports are available for them.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Farrell for raising such an important issue. To reiterate the Government's position, it is imperative we all see an end to this brutal war. The Government continues to urge Israel and Hamas to accept and fulfil the three-phase proposal outlined by President Biden and endorsed by the UN Security Council. It is vital all parties work towards reviving a political process that can provide a lasting and sustainable peace based on a two-state solution.

I am conscious of the damage caused by the bombing to the education infrastructure, including schools and universities. The scale of the damage will undoubtedly interrupt a generation's education in this manner and risk the capacity of the Palestinian people to recover. When peace returns to this area, I will be encouraging higher education institutions to leverage their existing relationships through the development aid programme of the Department of Foreign Affairs and EU instruments such as Erasmus and Horizon to assist in whatever way they can to re-establish the Palestinian education system.

In common with other regions suffering conflict such as Sudan and Afghanistan, students fleeing Palestine are eligible to participate in the international protection student scheme. This scheme, which has been in place since 2015, has supported about 100 students. I am aware a number of Irish universities are responding to individual requests for support as part of the scholars at risk programme and university sanctuary programmes. A number of universities have reserved places for Palestinian students to enable them to continue their studies, as well as introducing scholarship schemes for those with financial difficulties. I am pleased to note that access to support services, including counselling and wider pastoral care, has been made available to those arriving in universities, as well as Palestinians who were already in place since August 2023 as part of the fellows programme of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

I am aware, as we all are, of the difficulties for Palestinians seeking to flee the conflict and cross the border into neighbouring countries. For this reason, data on the possible demand is very hard to establish. However, the Department is working with the Higher Education Authority to establish the precise number of Palestinian students who have arrived in Ireland and are seeking to register with our universities. Once this is available, I can determine the best way to support the universities and can share it with the Deputy.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. How many are currently studying and being accommodated within the universities, if the Minister has that information available? I really welcome that these institutions have welcomed people who have been fleeing war with open arms. The concern that has been raised with me relates to what Deputy Stanton outlined about the costs for students who had not been ordinarily resident in the State and how that will impact going forward, especially in September. Obviously if you are fleeing a place like Gaza, your income, savings or anything like that realistically are going to be non-existent. It is about seeing how we can continue to support people.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The figures I have available show that at present, there are 35 Palestinian students registered with Irish universities in the academic year 2022-23. All are undertaking postgraduate studies, with a quarter in UCD. A question has been asked before about the different between the Palestinian students and the Ukrainian students. As the Deputy will be aware, the EU temporary protection directive was activated by the EU Council in 2022 following the invasion by Russia of Ukraine. It was on that basis, to comply with the directive, that the decision was made by the Department at that time, so there is a subtle difference. I am aware of the point the Deputy is making. However, if there are individual circumstances she is aware of with regard to particular students, she can share them with me rather than raising them on the floor of the Dáil.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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That is no problem. Obviously, I will bring any particular matters directly to the Minister because the aim here is to ensure people get what they need. I appreciate it is related to the temporary protection directive. It is unfortunate, of course, because we have seen hell unfold in Gaza but I take the Minister's point on board. When he has more information, I will be delighted to hear it.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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That is no problem. I will arrange to do that.