Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Currently, there are 73 national apprenticeship programmes available in Ireland. Of these, 58 have no qualifying criteria associated in regards to colour blindness. More generally, to support apprentices, information is sought at the point of registration on any additional supports that may be needed due to a disability. Education and training providers offer learning and other supports to apprentices during their training and many employers also provide accommodations in the workplace to apprentices with disabilities. Approximately 3% of the apprentice population have declared one or more disabilities, and are receiving additional supports. A majority of these identified themselves as having dyslexia or other disabilities related to learning.

However, for a small number of professions, trichromacy (i.e. normal colour vision) is an important ability to possess. For our apprenticeships, this impacts on the participation requirements for 15 programmes. Specifically, for these programmes apprenticeship applicants must pass the Ishihara colour vision test without the use of corrective lenses.

The list of apprenticeships that this requirement applies to is set out below:

• Aircraft Mechanics
• Electrical
• Electrical Instrumentation
• Instrumentation
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
• Electronic Security Systems
• Floor and Wall Tiling
• Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) Engineer
• Painting and Decorating
• Agricultural Mechanics
• Construction Plant Fitting
• Heavy Vehicle Mechanics
• Vehicle Body Repairs
• Motor Mechanics
• Plumbing

SOLAS are continually reviewing the existing apprenticeship programmes and the matter of colour vision testing is included in this process. In terms of the review of colour vision requirements for apprenticeship programmes, currently, -

• One colour vision review has been completed for Vehicle Body Repair (VBR).
• Five Programme Advisory Board (PAB) meetings are scheduled, covering Plumbing, Electrical, Heavy Vehicle Mechanic, Metal Fabrication and Carpentry & Joinery. The continued requirement for colour vision in these five crafts will be on each agenda.
• A further eleven crafts are due for desktop review.
• In addition, PAB consultation in 2024 will have the continued requirement for the review of colour vision on each agenda.