Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 October 2012

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Ceisteanna (191)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

191. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form, in respect of 2011, the number of payments issued by his Department and each agency within the remit of his Department to suppliers in respect of the supply of goods and services; splitting the payments between those issued within 30 days of receipt of the invoice; between 30 and 60 days of receipt of the invoice; between 60 and 90 days of receipt of the invoice; between 90 and 120 days of receipt of the invoice; and in excess of 120 days of receipt of the invoice. [45014/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

My Department aims, in its dealings with suppliers of goods and services, to pay all invoices as soon as possible after the goods and services have been satisfactorily delivered and the supporting documentation necessary to enable the payment has been received by my Department. A table outlines the number of payments made by my Department in 2011 broken down into the timeframes as requested by the Deputy.

No. of days	No. of payments
Within 30 days	3,768
Between 30 and 60 days	82
Between 60 and 90 days	15
Between 90 and 120 days	3
Over 120 days	20
TOTAL	3,888

The percentage of invoices paid over 30 days represents 3% of the total number of invoices and the delayed payment largely arose due to clarifications being sought from the relevant suppliers. Prompt payment interest of €200 was paid in respect of only 5 of these invoices.

Payment of invoices made by the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the individual agency in the first instance and I have no function in this regard. However, I am asking the Agencies concerned to respond directly to the Deputy.