Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the prompt payment legislation applies to his Department in respect of the payment of moneys to schools where they have obtained temporary classroom facilities from a company that provides such facilities; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in many cases the relevant company has to wait in excess of six months for payment; the reason his Department is unable to make these payments; if his attention has been drawn to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21311/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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It is the policy of my Department to ensure that payments due to companies in respect of services, including those referred to by the Deputy, are made as expeditiously as possible. The Deputy will appreciate that queries may arise in specific cases that need to be resolved before payments can issue. These may arise in cases in which invoice amounts differ from the amount approved by my Department or are not forwarded promptly to my Department by schools. If approval to rent accommodation is given to a school, the contract is between the supplier and the school. Accordingly the school is invoiced by the supplier and in turn the school is funded the cost by my Department. The Deputy can be assured that my Department will continue to issue payments due at the earliest possible date.