Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 181: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will set up a reporting function for small and medium enterprises to report Departments that do not comply with the newly introduced payment period of 15 days; when a decision to include State agencies in this payment period will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33038/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As on and from 15 June last all Government Departments are required to pay suppliers and contractors within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice. Responsibility for implementing the terms of the Government Decision rests with each individual Department. Suppliers pursuing payments should contact the relevant Departmental section with which the contract was arranged.

The Secretary General of my Department wrote to all Government Departments on 26th May, asking them to take the necessary steps to implement this commitment and to ensure that Department line staff and Finance Units are made aware of the need to prioritise payments to suppliers to meet the 15 day deadline.

The Government Decision of 19 May included a requirement for Departments to report quarterly to my Department on their performance in meeting these requirements. These reports are to be submitted by the 15th day of the month following the end of the quarter. The first such reports are due by 15 October 2009. Departments are also required to include information on the implementation of the measures in their subsequent Annual Reports.

As a result of the measures Departments are required to give greater priority to making timely payments and to ensure that suppliers themselves are aware of how they can assist the process by meeting the requirements of Departments in relation to the submission of invoices.

The application of the requirement to other State areas is under review.

In light of the above arrangements, I anticipate that compliance with the new procedures, should improve overall cash flow to suppliers, including in particular for small and medium enterprises, through earlier payments by Government Departments.