Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Jun 1998

Vol. 491 No. 7

Written Answers. - Prompt Payment of Accounts.

Nora Owen

Question:

198 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997, which came into force on 1 January 1998, is being implemented by all relevant bodies and authorities under his aegis; if all systems are in place to ensure that the 45 day limit for payments is being met; if not, if interest is being paid; the complaints, if any, he has received regarding non-payment on time; if he has sought an interim report on the way in which the legislation is working during the last six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13242/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The position is that more than 96 per cent of invoices received by my Department and by bodies under its aegis, since the coming into operation of the Prompt Payment Act, 1997, were paid within the 45-day limit.

Of the total of approximately 33,000 invoices received, interest totalling approximately £7,850 has been paid in respect of 1,070 of them not paid within the time limit.

I have appointed a small working group within my Department, headed at assistant secretary level, to examine urgently how to improve the situation as regards compliance with the terms of the Act.