WRITTEN QUESTION P-0590/96 by Doeke Eisma (ELDR) to the Commission (1 March 1996)

Subject: 'Technical assistance' funding as an element in the Single Programming Document in connection with Structural Fund Objective 5b programmes

The budgets of programmes implemented in connection with Structural Fund Objective 5b programmes may include a 'technical assistance' item. Local authorities are often uncertain as to what can be entered in the budget under this heading. Many of them are unclear as to whether programme management (officials released from other duties) can be paid for under the heading of 'technical assistance'.

In addition, particularly in small programmes, the 'technical assistance' budget is often too small.

1. Can the Commission provide a list of the items which may be included under the heading of 'technical assistance' in budgets for Objective 5b projects?

2. If programme management can be funded as part of 'technical assistance', can the budget for this be increased in the case of small programmes in order to help cover the relatively high management costs?

3. If programme management cannot be funded as part of 'technical assistance', whereabouts in the budget can its costs be entered?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1996)

Technical assistance is one of the forms of assistance provided for in Article 5(2)(e) of Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 (as amended by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/93 of 20 July 1993). ((OJ L 193, 31.7.1993. )) The financial contribution which can be made in the form of technical assistance includes preparation, appraisal, monitoring and evaluation of operations and pilot and demonstration projects.

Programme management can be financed by technical assistance provided that the expenditure concerned is eligible. As regards the eligibility of the operating expenditure of Member States' government departments under the heading of technical assistance, the Commission considers that eligible expenditure may include additional operating costs borne by intermediaries other than government departments, designated by the Member State concerned in agreement with the Commission, where these costs are a direct result of the administration of Community funds allocated to the intermediaries and where they are duly justified and approved in advance when a decision is taken to grant funds.

This does not necessarily imply, however, that all expenditure of an administrative nature incurred by Member States' government departments is ineligible for cofinancing with structural funds. If additional expenditure, i.e. expenditure effected over and above ordinary expenditure and arising from express additional requirements on the part of the Commission (such as extra monitoring and evaluation), had to be made, it would be eligible. The proof that it is 'additional' expenditure must of course be provided by the Member State, and the Commission must first accept this expenditure.

The Community's financial contribution to technical assistance is laid down in the financing plan set out in the Commission Decision approving the single programming document for Community structural aid and it is generally sufficient for the purposes listed above. Where necessary, following a proposal by the monitoring committee, the Commission can amend the decision, giving appropriate reasons.