The Government is to extend the 15-day “prompt payment” rule that applies to Government departments to other State bodies, including the Health Service Executive and local authorities.

Minister of State for Small Business John Perry said yesterday the new rule would apply to valid invoices received on or after July 1st.

Mr Perry was publishing quarterly figures on payments made to business suppliers which showed that 97.5 per cent of payments in value terms were paid within the 15-day limit.