The Indian Embassy in Ireland has reiterated its commitment to the safety and well-being of Indian-origin students in Ireland, stressing that the country remains safe, inclusive and welcoming to international residents.
In a statement, the embassy said Ireland is among the safest countries in the world for international students, ranking second globally and first within the European Union in the latest Global Peace Index. It also highlighted the long-standing relationship between India and Ireland, noting that more than 100,000 Indian-origins currently live in the country, making up around 2% of the population. The Indian community plays a key role in healthcare, technology, education, business, research and culture, the embassy said.
At the same time, the embassy acknowledged serious challenges faced by Indian-origin students, including racism, xenophobic attacks, housing shortages, job refusals linked to visa sponsorship and the high cost of living. It said incidents of racism in the past year were concerning but were strongly condemned by Irish authorities and society. Each case, the embassy noted, was investigated by An Garda Síochána, with increased coordination between police and university security teams.
Around 10,000 Indian-origin students travel to Ireland each year for higher education, making it the second most popular EU destination for them. While the embassy said efforts are under way to improve student accommodation and housing supply, students on the ground describe a tougher reality.
Many point to poor housing conditions, high rents, long commutes, limited public transport outside Dublin and a weak job market reluctant to offer visa sponsorship. Several students say that, had they known the extent of these difficulties, they might have chosen countries like the Netherlands, the UK, the US or Australia instead.
The gap between official assurances and daily student experiences, they argue, remains a pressing concern.