Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 371: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the total amount of moneys owed to private firms by public bodies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46473/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Firstly, the Deputy will appreciate that the issue raised by her is a day-to-day operational matter for the bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group.

In general terms, however, the Deputy may wish to note the following: · Guidelines with regard to the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act have been provided to each of the bodies in question. · Each body has advised that it is its policy to pay all suppliers in a timely manner and as quickly as possible. This reflects not only the legal obligation to pay within 30 days and the additional administrative requirement arising from a Government decision to make payments within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice, but also recognises that it is important for suppliers to receive payments due without unnecessary delays.

I am advised that in the year to date the majority of payments have been made by the bodies in question within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice and that the remaining invoices were largely paid within 30 days. In the case of a limited number of these bodies, I am advised that a very small quantum of payments fell outside of the 30-day timeframe during the year.

I have also been advised that any invoices on hand at present and due for payment by bodies to private firms have been received only in recent days and are expected to be paid very shortly. I understand that in most of these cases, the amounts involved are less than €10,000 but that in one case the amount is of the order of €57,000.