Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 December 2007
181 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department or any of its agencies has paid in advance for works or services that will not be commenced before the end of the 2007 financial year; the reasons for doing this; the amount of the payments; the recipients and the nature of the works or services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34730/07]
View answerIn making its payments my Department is mindful of Sections C.5.3 to C.5.7 of the Department of Finance's Public Financial Procedures which outline the appropriate procedures for payments. In line with these Public Financial Procedures it may be necessary, due to contractual commitments, to make advance payments.
The information on advance payments as sought by the Deputy is not routinely maintained by my Department but composite details of prepayments are produced in conjunction with the annual accounts which are prepared for the statutory deadline of 31st March annually. If the Deputy requires details of the Departments prepayments they can be supplied to him when the 2007 accounts are completed. Day to day expenditure details for the Agencies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the individual Agencies.
