I refer the Deputy to my reply to question number 329 on the 8th May 2008.
All payments made by my Department to businesses in respect of goods and services received are subject to the Prompt Payments of Accounts Act 1997, which requires that payments are made within 30 days of receipt of the invoice or delivery of the goods or services, whichever is the later.
I wish to confirm that my Department processes in excess of 99% of all payments within the 30 day timeframe.
The Deputy will appreciate that payments made by agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day-to-day operational matter for the Chief Executive Officers of those organisations. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Question to the organisations in question and am asking the Chief Executive Officers to provide any relevant information directly to the Deputy.