Francis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

375. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Ireland-Palestine scholarship programme runs on a yearly basis; and if so, when applications will open for the next round of awards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16297/22]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme is part of the Ireland Fellows Programme, which brings promising mid-career professionals from partner countries each year to study for a master’s-level qualification at a University or Institute of Technology in Ireland.

The Ireland Fellows Programme dates back to 1974 and is an integral part of my Department's Irish Aid international development programme. Building on an initial focus on students from Africa, in 2009 the Ireland Fellows Programme was extended to Vietnam. Following the publication of the A Better World policy on international development in 2019, the Programme was further enlarged to include students from the occupied Palestinian territory, and in 2020-2021, from Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Fellowships are awarded to 25 students from the occupied Palestinian territory each year. Ireland’s funding to the Palestinian people has traditionally had a strong focus on education, which is crucial to Palestine’s long-term economic viability.

The objective of the Ireland Fellows Programme is to help to build a cohort of people with the potential to become leaders in their home country and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Courses within the Programme are aligned with Ireland’s policy for international development, A Better World. The Fellowship award covers course fees, accommodation, living costs, and flights. The Ireland Fellows Programme promotes gender equality, equal opportunities, and welcomes diversity and alumni are invited to stay connected with Ireland, and with each other, after returning home.

The process of selecting Fellows for the 2022-23 academic year – including those from the occupied Palestinian territory - is underway and expected to conclude in June 2022. Applications for the 2023-24 academic year are expected to open in September 2022.