Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
872. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that an accommodation provider (details supplied) is again suffering from late payment of invoices for months; and if his Department will review the interest due on late payment of invoices. [40597/23]
View answerWith regard to the service provider to which the Deputy refers, I am advised by my officials that they have engaged with the provider regarding issues with the outstanding invoices and, once valid invoices are received, these four invoices will be reviewed and paid promptly.
With regard to interest due on late payment of invoices, I am advised that a number of interest payments were made to this provider on overdue invoices and a review of any further interest due to this provider is currently being conducted.
Whilst there have been some delays in payment due to the very large volume of invoices received, over the past few months my Department has greatly improved processing times. My Department will continue to press on to eliminate any delay in payments while ensuring appropriate governance is in place to safeguard the proper spending of Exchequer funding. The Department is also working towards additional automation in the system which is expected to further streamline the process.
