Apprenticeship Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022

Tuesday, 12 July 2022

Questions (694)

Robert Troy

Question:

694. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine the reason that applicants who suffer from colour blindness cannot partake in apprenticeship courses; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such applicants can partake in courses across other European Union countries and in Northern Ireland; and if he plans to resolve the matter. [36979/22]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

My Department's officials have engaged with SOLAS on this issue and have been informed that currently, a SOLAS statutory apprenticeship requires that in certain designated crafts, apprenticeship applicants must pass the Ishihara colour vision test.

SOLAS are continually reviewing the existing statutory apprenticeships and the matter of colour vision testing will be included in this process.