Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the average time, as of the end of April 2009, for payments to be made by her Department and each individual agency of her Department to outside businesses in respect of goods and services received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20873/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I would like to inform the Deputy that my department does not collate information in the manner set out in the question. However, I can confirm that no prompt payment interest has been incurred by my department to date in 2009. It is a policy of my department to adhere to the European Communities (Late Payments in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002 in relation to prompt payment. All invoices authorised for payment are paid within 30 days of receipt. In addition there are a number of agencies funded directly by my Department. The agencies have indicated that they adhere to the 30 days allowed in the Prompt Payment Legislation in respect of goods and services received. The National Treatment Purchase Fund and the Irish Medicines Board have negotiated contracts with their suppliers allowing for payment within 45 days. My department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Services Executive to have a reply issue directly to the Deputy on this matter.