821. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when a service provider will receive payment due (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64351/26]

The State provides accommodation for nearly 32,000 international protection applicants at 297 accommodation centres nationwide. The Department has robust verification and payment control processes in place to oversee payments for international protection accommodation services.

These are in place to ensure that payments are made only where the charges claimed are in accordance with the terms of the relevant contract and the services provided within the relevant period.

These processes also ensure that of the volume of invoices and payments made each month, the vast majority of these are completed without delay.

As part of the invoice verification process, the Department may seek additional information or clarification from a provider where necessary. Where such queries arise, payment may be withheld pending receipt of appropriate information or additional documentation.

While the Department can't publish information on individual contractual processes, I am informed that the matters raised by the Deputy have been resolved.