I propose to take Questions Nos. 482, 485 and 486 together.
The European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2012 applies to all public authorities which include Government Departments and state bodies.
The 2012 Regulations provide that public authorities must pay for goods and services they procure within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice or as specified in a contract (which cannot exceed 30 days). Where a Department of state body fails to comply with these regulations, they must automatically pay compensation and late payment interest to suppliers.
It is the responsibility of each Government Department and state body to ensure its internal systems and processes are in order to meet obligations under the above Regulations. I can confirm that my Department and its agencies have systems and processes in place to ensure that obligations under the 15-day prompt payment rules and the 30-day limit under the Regulations are met. Prompt payments is an integral part of the processes in this Department and its agencies and is constantly monitored.
All Departments must publish, on a quarterly basis their compliance figures. All Departments must also publish the compliance levels of the bodies under their aegis on their respective websites. In 2018 and 2019 respectively, 98% and 98% of all invoices received by Government Departments were paid within 30 days and did not incur late payment interest or compensation. In 2018 and 2019, 99% and 98% of all invoices received by the agencies of this Department were paid within 30 days and therefore did not incur late payment interest or compensation payments.
In addition, 84% an 83% of invoices received by Government Departments were paid within 15-days and 92% and 89% of invoices received by the agencies of this Department were paid within 15-days.
The compliance level among Government Departments and the agencies of my Department with the regulations have been consistently very strong which demonstrates that robust systems are in place to ensure compliance with the regulations.