WRITTEN QUESTION E-0631/03

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 March 2003)

Subject: The Organisation for Vocational Education and Training (OEEK)

The Organisation for Vocational Education and Training (OEEK) was set up and began operating in Greece at the beginning of the 1990s. It is concerned with setting up and running public vocational training institutes (IEKs) and overseeing the corresponding private organisations.

Given that this organisation faces a huge deficit, as officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs found (Evstathia Gravia, Giorgios Boutos, Giorgios Lanis and Eirini Papadopoulou) at an inspection ordered by the Ministry of Economic Affairs which was completed in April 2002, and given that this deficit is steadily increasing, despite the fact that the OEEK is subsidised by the European Union,

will the Commission say:

1. Has it received a copy of the conclusions of the management audit and is it aware of the deficit?

2. What sanctions have been imposed on those responsible for irregularities in running the organisation?

3. Is it aware of the precise amount of the deficit and the reasons for it?

4. Has it been informed about the development of this organisation which is co-funded by the Community and whether or not it functions properly?

5. What actions does it intend to take to address the maladministration and the irregularities committed by the constantly changing administrations?

6. What measures does it intend to take to address the illegal procedures and direct award of contracts which have created a financial deficit in the organisation with a view to ensuring that Community aid is used more efficiently?

7. Is the Commission satisfied with the functioning and progress of vocational education in Greece?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(8 April 2003)

The Honourable Member raised a number of questions in relation to the Greek organisation (OEEK) responsible for the Vocational Education and Training, which indeed has been financed in the framework of both the previous and the current Greek Community Support Framework (CSF).

The Commission did not receive a copy of the conclusions of the management audit carried out by the Ministry of Finances in April 2002.

As the OEEK is one of the most important final beneficiaries of the European Social Fund (ESF) in Greece, the Commission takes a close interest in ensuring an effective use of Community funds by this organisation. The Commission will put the question about the OEEK situation to the competent CSF authorities and will check if some audit reports, like the one the Honourable Member is referring to, should have been communicated to the Commission by the national audit services.

The CSF3 (2000-2006) foresees that training offered by the OEEK and public Vocational Training Centres can be co-financed by the ESF up to the middle of the programming period. As part of the midterm review process, a study will examine how the private sector will participate in the financing of vocational training in Greece. Therefore, the opportunity of the midterm evaluation exercise will be used for the reorientation of the vocational education sector as well.