asked the Minister for Education the amount of fees outstanding and unpaid by her Department and each semi-State body, local authority or health board under the aegis of her Department, to architects, quantity surveyors and consulting engineers at 30 April 1987 giving a breakdown showing the length of time for which the various fees are outstanding and unpaid; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Payment of Fees.
210.
The compilation of the type of comprehensive information sought by the Deputy would involve the expenditure of an inordinate amount of official time by my Department and I am not prepared to divert staff resources for its preparation.
I wish to assure the Deputy, however, that it is not the practice in my Department to withhold professional fees that are properly due.