BODIES ill the public sector take an average of 55 days to pay their bills, according to a survey commissioned by the Minister for Enterprise and Employment. The study found hospitals and health boards were slowest, taking an average of 58 days to settle accounts. Government departments and commercial semi state bodies take 50 days to pay.
An international business study showed the average payment in Ireland is 59 days, two days fewer than the EU average of 61 days but nine days more than the UK average of 50 days.
Mr Bruton was introducing the second stage of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Bill which aims to ensure public sector buyers and contractors on public sector contracts pay their bills promptly to suppliers of goods and services.