asked the Minister for Finance the reason there is no general practice governing all State bodies, in regard to making provision for bad and doubtful debts.
Written Answers. - Debts Provision.
47.
Each State body takes the action it deems appropriate in regard to providing in its account for bad and doubtful debts. The decisions as to whether such provision should be made and whether the size of the provision should be published, are matters for the body's directors. The adequacy of any provision will further be subject to scrutiny by the body's auditors. The relevant Minister will of course obtain from the body all the information he requires in regard to its operations, results, and financial position. The Deputy will be aware that no specific reference is made to bad and doubtful debts in the comprehensive guidelines governing the format of the reports and accounts of State bodies which were adopted by the Government on 16 December 1986.