WRITTEN QUESTION E-1074/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (21 March 1997)

Subject: Use of structural funds by Italy

Italy has been conspicuous, even in recent years, by its low level of utilization of resources from the Structural Funds. As a result, it has often been suggested that the Commission could redirect certain unutilized funds intended for Italy to other countries that had shown a greater capacity to utilize them. Moreover, the lack of continuity between the previous planning period (1989-1993) and the current one (1994-1999) has created further problems and makes it difficult to provide a complete and up-to-date picture of the utilization of the Structural Funds in Italy.

Will the Commission provide as up-to-date an account as possible of the state of Italy's commitments and expenditure in relation to actions financed under Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5b as part of multi-regional and regional programmes?

Will the Commission provide separate answers for the two planning periods?

Will the Commission state whether funds allocated to Italy have in fact been redirected towards other EU Member States as a result of our country's failure to utilize them?

Lastly, can the Commission give its assessment of the reasons for the substantial delays in the utilization of the Structural Funds by Italy, comparing the Italian situation with that of the other Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (10 June 1997)

On the basis of the latest information received from the Italian authorities, which refers to the position on 31 December 1996, the situation regarding commitments and payments under structural fund programmes by implementing bodies in Italy is set out in the following table. The figures refer to commitments and payments as a percentage of the total cost of the approved programmes under each objective. The objective 2 programmes cover a three year period only (1994-1996). It should be noted that a limited number of programmes not yet approved by the Commission are not included in the figures, nor are Community initiative programmes.

No change has been made to overall Italian allocations for the period 1994-1999, which consequently remain available for commitment before the end of the period.

The agreement which the Commission concluded with the Italian authorities in 1995 on the improved management of structural fund programmes highlights the main causes of the delays, such as inadequate administrative structures, long and complicated procedures, ineffective use of technical assistance, and slow and complicated financial transfers. Similar problems exist in certain other Member States but not to the same extent and not in such combination. The Commission continues to monitor the situation in Italy closely and to review progress on the implementation of the reforms agreed with the Italian authorities in 1995.

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(1) Due to the absence in Italy of a centralized monitoring system for 1989-1993 objective 2 programmes the figure given is based on payment declarations to date to the Commission. (2) 1994-1996 period. (3) Data not available. (4) In the framework of the structural funds reform in 1993, all the financial instruments for fisheries were regrouped in a single 'Financial instrument for fisheries guidance' which contributes to achieving Objective 5a. (5) Data are provisional.