Murphy extends support for suppliers impacted by Covid-19

Finance Minister Conor Murphy has announced the extension of measures to ensure Government Departments continue paying suppliers impacted by Covid-19.

Finance Minister Conor Murphy with Barry Byrne, Managing Director, Mount Charles Group Limited, and Aidan Flynn, Managing Director, Maurice Flynn & Sons Ltd

Relief measures for suppliers who provide goods and services, and construction contractors, for which demand has reduced or been paused temporarily due to Covid-19 will continue to be provided during recovery.

Minister Murphy said: "Nearly 100 suppliers to Government departments across a wide range of sectors including construction, catering, facilities management and maintenance have availed of the relief I announced in March.

"These support measures have provided a vital lifeline to these businesses, enabling cash to continue flowing through the supply chain and helping to pay salaries and protect jobs.

"Importantly it also means suppliers unable to meet their contractual obligations will be able to resume service delivery as we begin to emerge from lockdown.

"It is vital that we continue to protect suppliers during these challenging times which is why the Executive have agreed to extend these measures until October."

Notes to editors: 

1.       Further information is available at https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/publications/pgn-02-20-recovery-and-transition-covid-19

2.       If there are cases where suppliers are found to be taking undue advantage or failing to act transparently or with integrity, Departments will take action to recover payments made and consider exclusion from future government contracts.

3.       Departments will require as a condition of any payment that suppliers agree to operate on a transparent basis, and make available to the Department access to any data necessary to demonstrate the payments made to the supplier under contract have been used in the manner intended.  This might include evidence that staff have been paid the right amount and on time, and that cash continues to flow through the supply chain as quickly as possible.

4.       Departments should keep records of decisions and agreements made, and ensure suppliers maintain records to enable future reconciliation if necessary.

5.       CPD in the Department of Finance will focus on procuring the urgent requirements needed and working in partnership with supplier to manage existing contracts that are subjected to changes as a result of the outbreak.

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