WRITTEN QUESTION E-3015/02

by Dominique Vlasto (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Management of funds granted by the ESF in France

The national coordinating committee for action to assist people with disabilities and promote their integration into society and employment prospects (le Comité National de Coordination de l'Action en faveur des Personnes Handicapées, Promotion Sociale et Professionnelle, CCAH-PSP), the aim of which is to integrate young people with disabilities into ordinary working life, was an approved coordinating body under the 1991-1993 and 1995-1999 operational programmes co-financed by the European Social Fund (FSE) in France.

The CCAH-PSP has had problems, however, in connection with the payment of the total funds granted by the ESF for 1999, and in particular the reduction of the amount in question by the Directorate-General for Social Action (DGAS) of the Ministry of Employment and Solidarity. It seems that the sums paid to the CCAH-PSP in 1999 fell considerably short of those agreed, and provided, by the ESF.

1. Should the funds granted by the ESF be paid in full to the approved organisations responsible for implementing the programmes? In the case of France, what is the role of the Directorate-General for Social Action (DGAS)? May it reduce the amount of funding allocated to a coordinating organisation by the ESF?

2. Could the Commission state the amount received in 1999 by the French ESF mission for Objective 3, measure 17, of the 1994-1999 ESF programming period in France? Could it state what proportion of that sum was in fact paid to the CCAH-PSP in 1999?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(27 November 2002)

1. It should first be noted that, with regard to the Community Structural Funds, the Commission restricts its involvement to working in partnership with the relevant Member State to define priority areas and the most appropriate measures and actions to meet the objectives set.

Implementing the actions and measures chosen is then exclusively a matter for the Member State and the national and/or regional authorities responsible. Because of this sharing of responsibilities, the Commission generally does not have any knowledge of the decisions made within the Member States concerning approval of projects or groups of projects within the actions or measures set out in the operational programmes. The Commission therefore has no information concerning any reduction, decided by the Directorate-General for Social Action (DGAS) of the Ministry of Employment and Solidarity, of the European Social Fund (ESF) grant for actions coordinated by the national coordinating committee for action to assist people with disabilities and promote their integration into society and their employment prospects (CCAH-PSP).

The Commission can only confirm that Article 21 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2082/93 of 20 July 1993(1), which was in force for the period in question, stipulates that: the payments shall be made to the final beneficiaries without any deduction or retention which could reduce the amount of financial assistance to which they are entitled.

2. As the 1994-1999 programme for Objective 3 has not yet been closed, the Commission is not in a position to indicate the sum it paid in 1999 under Measure 17 of the above programme.

The Commission can nevertheless confirm that with regard to the 1994/1999 programme, and more specifically its 1999 tranche, the programme's last financial model, as amended by the Commission Decision of 30 December 1999, identifies an ESF contribution of EUR 58 106 million under Measure 17 (on bringing groups in great difficulties up to standard and qualifying them), for the measure as a whole, both national and regional components.

This measure effectively related to people with disabilities but also, more generally, to immigrant or foreign jobseekers, refugees, persons in custody or imprisoned, and groups faced with illiteracy. In terms of programme management, the financial model did not identify the breakdown of the ESF budget for Measure 17 according to target group. The Commission therefore does not yet have any information on the sum awarded by the French Ministry of Employment and Solidarity to the CCAH-PSP under this measure. However, the Commission will contact the Member State and will ensure that any additional information received is forwarded immediately to the Honourable Member.

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2082/93 of 20 July 1993 amending Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards coordination of the activities of the different Structural Funds between themselves and with the operations of the European Investment Bank and the other existing financial instruments, OJ L 193, 31.7.1993.