At least 31 of 59 Palestinian students who applied for study visas after securing fully or partially funded scholarships from Irish universities have been refused.

Academics involved in bringing Palestinian students from Gaza to study in Ireland have criticised the Government's handling of visa applications after the students were refused permission to enter the country.

Eight of the refusals were received by the students on Wednesday just weeks before their courses begin.

The visa refusals were given to students due to attend University College Dublin, University of Limerick and the National College of Art and Design.

Speaking on The Pat Kenny Show, Alannah Faulkner, a Trainee Solicitor at Phoenix Law, said she is "very hopeful" that universities will work to secure deferrals for these students if their visas are approved.

"The reasons that we are seeing for refusal are saying the same thing: 'We need original bank statements'. 'We're seeing gaps in education, employment and insufficient evidence; a lack of strong obligations to return home'."

" If there is a gap, it's because the education institution has been destroyed. It's not an unexplained gap."

"If somebody can't produce an original bank statement,  it's because the bank and civilian infrastructure have been destroyed."

Documentation Concerns

Discussing the argument that documentation is needed to ensure that anyone associated with Hamas does not enter the country, Ms Faulkner said, "the fact is that the universities want to give these scholarships, and these scholarships are covering everything that you could imagine a student would need in a degree."

"I think if you turn around and say we're concerned about one particular issue without taking into consideration that the universities themselves want these students here. They have done their own authentication."

Since 2024, more than 70 Gazan students have come to Ireland through an initiative with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Ms Faulkner continues: "We hope that it all works out for these students. Gaza has been a hell for so many people, and the opportunity of studying in Ireland for a couple of years must be a respite much sought after. And hopefully they will make it here."

The Department of Further and Higher Education said six Palestinian students had been awarded Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year.