Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2023
421. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for the four-month delay in paying invoices submitted by a person (details supplied) in respect of accommodation provided for Ukrainians. [6513/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has engaged over 700 properties to provide accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. In line with the Department’s commitment to substantially clear the backlog at the end of 2022, my Department temporarily re-assigned staff from other parts of the Department to the payments team in December, doubling the size of the payments unit. The enlarged team approved more than 100 million euros worth of payments.
My Department is prioritising maintaining a practice of more timely payments, including providing more resources to address any issues. Any delays in processing payments are deeply regretted and my Department is according this issue very high priority.
I am advised by my officials that they have engaged directly with the party referred to with a view to expediting processing and prioritising payment of these invoices.
