asked the Minister for the Environment if he will confirm that instructions have been given to the group water section to refuse information relating to the payment of grants to contractors who carried out a particular scheme and who seek information concerning payment; if he is aware that there is a delay in paying final and interim accounts and that many contractors have cash-flow problems arising out of slow payments; and if he will make a statement on the situation.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments to Contractors.
47.
My Department are not a party to contracts between group scheme trustees and contractors and have no function in relation to payments on foot of such contracts.
The allocation and payments of grants for a group scheme is a matter between my Department and the group concerned. It has been found necessary for some years past to adopt the practice of referring contractors making inquiries in this regard to the group with whom they have a contract for information.
In relation to the last part of the question, as stated by my predecessor in reply to Question No. 11 of 15 November 1984, in so far as the payment of State grants to the groups is concerned, instalments up to 90 per cent of the total amount of grants allocated are normally paid by my Department within three weeks of certification of expenditure by the local inspector. The final instalment of grants due can be paid of course when the scheme has been completed satisfactorily and domestic water supplies provided to individual members in respect of whom the grants are claimed.