I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the consultation process has commenced. My Department has published on its website a consultation document to assist interested parties in making a written submission in response to the University of Limerick’s study. The consultation process runs for a period of eight weeks from Monday 9th November 2015 to Monday 4th January 2016. In addition to seeking written submissions from all interested parties, I intend meeting with employer representative bodies and worker representative bodies and non-Governmental organisations on 24th November 2015 to hear their initial views first hand.
I know the Deputy has a particular interest in the study from the perspective of seasonal workers, and I would welcome any submissions from seasonal workers or their representatives in response to the study’s findings and recommendations.