WRITTEN QUESTION P-2749/00

by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission

(2 August 2000)

Subject: Precautionary action in response to ESF irregularities in Catalonia (Spain)

In its replies to previous questions the Commission has acknowledged the existence of significant irregularities in the management of the European Social Fund by the Catalonia Autonomous Community's executive body irregularities which have given rise to a number of cases which are currently being dealt with by the Catalan courts, and also to involvement on the part of OLAF.

In view of the scale of such irregularities and the fact that they constantly recur, what action has the Commission taken or is it intending to take? Is it true that the Commission has suspended or postponed ESF payments to Catalonia and, in particular, payments relating to vocational training? Has the Commission taken any other precautionary action?

Answer given by Ms Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 2000)

Further to the Commission's answers to written questions P-1071/00 and P-2009/00(1) from the Honourable Member, the Commission is now in a position to inform the Honourable Member that it has received an initial communication from the Spanish authorities concerning irregularities involving the European Social Fund in Catalonia on the basis of Article 3 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1681/94 of 19 July 1994(2).

During the consultations between the Spanish authorities and the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, the latter undertook to provide answers to the Commission's questions. Among other things, it provided assurances that the selection criteria for the new programming period would be changed in order to ensure that implementation was more effective and transparent.

As regards the cases that are the subject of a judicial investigation, the authorities of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia have informed the Commission that the training centres concerned have been removed from the list approved by the Member State. However, the results of the internal inquiries conducted by the regional authorities and the information concerning the system of implementation and monitoring applied in the past and planned for the future have not yet been supplied to the Commission.

As soon as the Commission found out about possible irregularities and fraud, it initiated proceedings under Article 24 of Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88, as modified by Regulation (EEC) No 2082/93(3), and, as a precautionary measure in order to safeguard its financial interests, suspended the payments provided for in Article 21 of this Regulation for the Autonomous Community of Catalonia.

(1) OJ C 26 E, 26.1.2001, pp. 151 and 171.

(2) Commission Regulation (EC) No 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 (OJ L 178, 12.7.1994).

(3) 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).