Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for his question.

Currently, 58 of the 73 statutory apprenticeship programmes 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. 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 has declared one or more disabilities and are receiving additional supports. A majority of these identified as having dyslexia or other disabilities related to learning.

For a small number of professions, trichromacy (i.e. normal colour vision) is a critical requirement. For 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 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 the agenda of the PAB (Programme Advisory Board) for this process. In terms of the review of colour vision requirements for apprenticeship programmes, this was discussed at recent PAB meetings for several apprenticeship programmes where colour vision is currently a requirement:

1. Tues 28 November 2023– Electrical
2. Tues 28 November 2023 – Heavy Vehicle Mechanics
3. Wed 29 November 2023 – Plumbing

The matter was considered by PAB attendees, and the outcome of this agenda item discussion was that no changes were considered as necessary for the existing requirements. That is, prospective apprentices for these programmes are still required to complete the colour vision test without the use of corrective lenses, in the programmes identified.

Given the potential for medical and technological advancements, SOLAS are committed to ensuring that this matter is kept under review as part of the PAB process on an ongoing basis. Where the potential for a change to existing requirements is identified by a PAB, SOLAS will seek input from specialists to inform future formal reviews.

I know that there is a lot of interest in this particular topic and so I am happy to clarify for the Deputy that whilst the matter does not undergo a formal review, it is considered by the Programme Advisory Boards on an ongoing basis.