WRITTEN QUESTION E-0838/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: Alleged irregularities committed by Enfap Uil in the management of ESF vocational training funds

There have recently been reports of further suspect episodes concerning the management of funds for vocational training in Latium. On 7 February 1998 the Director-General of the INPS (National Social Security Institute), Dr Penna, sent a letter to Latium's Regional Executive Officer responsible for the budget, Mr Angiolo Marroni, in which he maintained that a vocational training body, Enfap Uil, had evaded its obligation to pay Lit 13 bn out of the social security contributions due in respect of its employees in the period since 1992. In spite of this accusation, Latium Regional Council paid some Lit 10 December 1997 under existing vocational training agreements.

Murky incidents relating to the organization of vocational training in Latium have already occurred on a number of occasions in the past. In one case, following an inquiry opened as a result of my earlier questions, training bodies were charged with conspiracy and fraud. Enfap was among the bodies investigated but has none the less continued to enjoy approved status. Indeed, in the most recent update of operations to be financed by the European Social Fund, approximately forty courses have been assigned to it.

1. Was the Commission already aware of the circumstances described above?

2. Does it not believe that a fresh inquiry should be opened into the management of ESF vocational training funds in Latium?

3. Does it not believe that bodies under investigation should be stripped of their approved status, at least until their position has been clarified in the Italian courts?

4. What is its general view on the matter as a whole?

Supplementary answer

given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(3 August 1998)

Following the Commission's inquiry to the Member State, the Latium Region has provided further information.

The Region has explained that the partial non-payment of contributions to the INPS by the Ente nazionale formazione addestramento professionale (ENFAP) did not constitute grounds for freezing the amounts due from the Region in respect of the ENFAP's activities, including training part-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF). The safeguards adopted by the Region after the Director of the INPS made known the ENFAP's debt, in particular the suspension of payments to the ENFAP, were of a provisional nature. The Region subsequently decided to allow activities already assigned to the ENFAP to be completed, in accordance with the opinion of its lawyers and after taking account of all the interests involved. However, a decision on future activities to be entrusted to the ENFAP has been deferred and will be taken during the coming months.

The Commission is remaining in contact with the Region concerning matters not exclusively covered by national law. It will ensure that the ENFAP completes the activities part-financed by the ESF, and will intervene if necessary. The Commission would also like to add that, following its answer to the Honourable Member's written question E-3648/95(1), it received from the Italian authorities a notification pursuant to Commission Regulation (EC) 1681/94 of 11 July 1994 concerning irregularities and the recovery of sums wrongly paid in connection with the financing of the structural policies and the organisation of an information system in this field(2) to the effect that the judicial procedures described had been started. It has not yet received any further information on these procedures and therefore has not yet decided on its further course of action.

(1) OJ C 173, 17.6.1996.

(2) OJ L 178, 12.7.1994.