Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the average time lapse between receipt of invoices for goods and services and actual payment in his Department and in each agency and organisation within his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32596/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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My Department aims, in its dealings with suppliers of goods and services, to pay all invoices as soon as possible after the goods and services have been satisfactorily delivered and the supporting documentation necessary to enable the payment has been received by my Department. The Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997 provides for 30 days between receipt of invoice and payment. However, in line with the Government Decision of the 19th May 2009 my Department is committed to making payments to suppliers within 15 days. The vast majority of all payments made by my Department to suppliers for goods and services are made within 15 days. In Quarter 1 of 2012 93% of payments were made within 30 days with 81% being made within 15 days.

Payments of invoices by the agencies and public bodies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day operational matter for the agency/body concerned. However, I would like to advise the Deputy that state agencies and public bodies under my aegis are committed to issuing payments within 15 days. I am informed that in Quarter 1 of 2012 88% of payments made by Agencies were within 30 days (statutory limit) with 58% being made within 15 days.