Prior to this legislation coming into place, my Department circulated all the relevant details to the agencies under my aegis and requested them to make all necessary arrangements to fully implement this legislation. In addition, when advising agencies of the funding allocations for 1998, my Department again advised agencies of their obligations in regard to prompt payments. In the context of agreeing with agencies their cash drawdown profiles for 1998, specific provision was made to increase cash drawdowns in January of 1998 to allow for the additional cash flows necessary due to agencies moving from a 45 day average to a 45 day limit. The arrangements put in place fully supported health agencies in meeting their obligations under the legislation.
In the matters of non-compliance, payment of interest and receipt of complaints regarding non-payment on time, I am not aware of any major difficulty in the health sector regarding the operation of the legislation. In the matter of complaints, my Department has received just three, none of which related to non-payment within the 45 day limit, all of which are in the process of being dealt with.
In relation to interest payments, if any, incurred by agencies, the legislation provides for the issue of guidelines by the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on disclosure by relevant agencies of their payment practices in their annual accounts/reports. There are no arrangements for the provision of interim reports. The day-to-day operational compliance is a matter for individual agencies. However, my Department has assisted, and will continue to assist, health agencies in meeting their obligations so if problems emerge they will be kept to a minimum.
