Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

776 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans he has to change the payment system for design teams on public housing schemes; if his attention has been drawn to the frustration experienced by those involved in design teams at the delay in receiving their fee payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1097/01]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

The payment of fees for professional services relating to local authority housing schemes is primarily a matter for each local authority. In relation to voluntary housing schemes, the question of the payment of fees for professional services to consultants involved in voluntary housing projects is a matter for the voluntary bodies who have engaged the consultants in the first place. However, a local authority may give a guarantee to an approved voluntary housing body in respect of any borrowings that may be necessary to enable planning of a project to proceed in the early stages.

Payments are not made by my Department to local authorities in relation to social housing schemes in advance of the commencement of works. I would be concerned that there should be no undue delays in the payment of fees for professional services by local authorities and any individual case should be pursued directly with the relevant local authority. I should add that local authorities are required to comply with the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997, which requires local authorities to pay invoices within a statutory period of 45 days or such shorter period as may be agreed by contract.