WRITTEN QUESTION P-0016/99

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission

(12 January 1999)

Subject: Take-up of appropriations for data-processing and libraries at Greek schools

Sub-programme 1 "General and Technical Education" of the Greek Operational Programme "Education and Initial Vocational Training" (EPEAK) includes actions 1.1b and 1.4c aimed at promoting data-processing at Greek schools and actions 1.3c and 1.4b aimed at promoting libraries at Greek schools.

However, according to the summary information available to me, in November 1998 the take-up rate for actions 1.4b and 1.4c was absolutely nil and virtually nil for action 1.3c; the take-up rate for action 1.1b can also be described as virtually nil, except for the appropriations intended to fund the action in favour of books and staff which seem to have already been completely taken up.

Will the Commission say:

1. What is the breakdown of the take-up rate of appropriations for these actions, and precisely what will happen in future?

2. What is the reason for the long delay in the take-up of the relevant appropriations, and what consequences may this have for the development of data-processing and libraries in Greek schools?

3. How can it account for the fact that the appropriations in favour of books and staff under action 1.1b have been fully taken up, while in the case of most of the other projects provided for under the action in question the take-up rate is absolutely nil?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 1999)

These actions are co-financed by the European social fund (ESF) and the European regional development fund (ERDF) in the framework of the operational programme (OP) of the Greek Community support framework.

1. According to information provided by the ministry of Education, the payments made by the ministry, expressed as percentages of the total budgets of the actions, at the beginning of 1999 amounted to 64 % for the ESF and 3 % for the ERDF (information technology) and 1,6 % for the ESF and 0 % for the ERDF (school libraries). These figures show that less than one year before the end of the current programming period, the situation is critical. However, the ministry of Education says that it has taken all the necessary measures in order to accelerate the implementation of the actions. In addition, the Greek authorities maintain that the take-up rates will increase rapidly in the following months and all credits will be used in time.

2. and 3. The delay in the implementation of the actions could be attributed to various reasons, the most important of which seem to be their delayed definition and start, the absence of appropriate implementing agencies, their complexity and the heavy administrative procedures. The introduction of information technologies to schools and the establishment of school libraries are implemented almost exclusively through the OP "Education and initial training". Therefore, any failure to use the Community credits in time would necessarily mean a restriction of the actions (fewer schools equipped with information technology facilities, fewer libraries) and non-attainment of the objectives initially set.

For further details, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the Greek ministry of Education.