ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1124/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(1 April 2003)

Subject: Use of funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) by the municipality of Pistoia

In September 2002, the monitoring committee of the Italian Ministry for Economic Affairs issued a report on the spending of EU funds.

The report reveals the alarming slowness and inefficiency with which EU funds are allocated to projects by some regional authorities.

The grave concerns about the inadequate use of European funds by local authorities have frequently been echoed by the Commission.

Bearing in mind that some local authorities, such as the municipality of Pistoia, urgently need to use European funds to regenerate areas in industrial decline and to reduce imbalances in social and economic development, can the Commission state:

1. whether the municipality of Pistoia has submitted projects for the ERDF?

2. whether the municipality of Pistoia has secured funding for these projects?

3. whether this funding has been used?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1119/03, E-1120/03,E-1121/03, E-1122/03, E-1123/03 and E-1124/03given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(16 April 2003)

The municipalities of Massa, Carrara, Livorno, Pisa, Pistoia and Florence are all partly eligible for assistance from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Tuscany SPD (single programming document) for 2000-2006.

The Tuscany SPD has been approved by Commission decision(1) and provides for ERDF financing of EUR 322,5 million for total public expenditure of EUR 804,9 million.

Since the Tuscany SPD is a programme with decentralised management, the authority responsible for carrying out operations is the Tuscany region which has laid down project selection criteria in the programming supplement and is responsible for appraising applications. The Honourable Member could therefore appropriately ask that authority for detailed information on the projects presented and financed for the municipalities of Massa, Carrara, Livorno, Pisa, Pistoia and Florence.

(1) C(2001) 2725, 27.9.2001.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0945/03

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 March 2003)

Subject: EU involvement in the restoration of the Gate of the Granadas

The Granada Alhambra Trust will shortly commence restoring the Gate of the Granadas, an arched gateway into the Alhambra, of great architectural value.

The badly dilapidated archway is not merely of architectural value, it is also significant at popular level, rich in tradition and history.

Does the Commission believe that it ought to be making a major contribution to the restoration work, so as to enhance its association in the popular mind with restoration work on particularly important historic buildings which have genuine popular appeal and significance, by identifying with the way that local people feel about one of the most important historic monuments in the EU?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2003)

The Commission may support initiatives in the area of culture, but only within the framework and according to the selection criteria of the Culture 2000 programme, which is the Union's sole instrument for financing and planning cultural cooperation.

This programme is intended to support projects that are jointly run and financed by at least three operators from at least three countries taking part in the programme.

The Honourable Member can find further information at the following site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/culture/c2000.

Other possible sources of assistance might be the local operational programme (2000-2006) or the integrated operational programme for Andalucia (2000-2006), which come under the Community Support Framework setting out the development strategy for the Spanish regions covered by Objective 1. Priority 5 under the two operational programmes, and in particular measures 5.7 (tourist and cultural infrastructure) and 5.8 (conservation of the historical, artistic and cultural heritage), might well provide funding for this type of project.

As, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, the choice of projects to be co-funded is the responsibility of the Member State, any further information can be obtained by contacting the following national authorities:

- Junta de Andalucía Consejería de Economía y HaciendaDirección General de Fondos EuropeosDirector GeneralAntonio Valverde RamosEdificio Torretriana Isla de la Cartuja C/ Juan Antonio VizarrónE-41092 Sevillatel. +34.95.5065015fax +34.95.5065014e-mail: webmaster@ceh.junta-andalucia.esweb: Junta de Andalucía Consejería de Economía y Hacienda

- Ministerio de Economía y Hacienda Secretaría de Estado de Presupuestos y GastosDirección General de Fondos Comunitarios y Financiación TerritoriaPaseo de la Castellana 162E-28071 Madridtel. +34.91.5837301fax +34.91.4576173e-mail: aplazab@sepg.minhac.esweb: Secretaría de Estado de Presupuestos y Gastos
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0916/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(24 March 2003)

Subject: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

In the light of its Treaty obligations to maintain high standards of public health and educate the public about health risks, what action has the Commission taken or is it proposing to take on the possible risks of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as the result of long- and short-haul travel on flights or long-distance rail and car travel?

What research has the Commission undertaken on DVT?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2003)

The Commission takes the issue of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and its possible links to travelling very seriously and shares your concern about this matter.

At present little is known about the link between DVT and air transport and in order to find an answer to the question of how far DVT is related to air transport and which measures could be taken, the Commission is co-financing a research programme with the United Kingdom government under the auspices of the World Health Organisation. The result will be published in a final report, which would be expected by the mid 2005, though provisional results are expected earlier.

As a precautionary measure, the Commission sent out a letter in January 2001, encouraging airlines to inform their passengers on the possible risks of DVT during long flights and on possible measures to take.

So far, no DVT related cases in the rail, car and coach transport sector have been brought to the attention of the Commission administration and, as a consequence, no initiative on this matter has been taken to date. If the Commission were to learn about such cases, it would immediately consider how to make sure that non air passengers were adequately informed of the possible risks.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1070/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(31 March 2003)

Subject: Use of funds from the Leonardo da Vinci programme by the municipality of Pisa

In September 2002, the monitoring committee of the Italian Ministry for Economic Affairs issued a report on the spending of EU funds.

The report reveals the alarming slowness and inefficiency with which EU funds are allocated to projects by some regional authorities.

The grave concerns about the inadequate use of European funds by local authorities have frequently been echoed by the Commission.

Bearing in mind that some local authorities, such as the municipality of Pisa, urgently need to use European funds to enhance quality, promote innovation and support the European dimension of vocational training systems and practices, can the Commission state:

1. whether the municipality of Pisa has submitted projects for the Leonardo da Vinci programme?

2. whether the municipality of Pisa has secured funding for these projects?

3. whether this funding has been used?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-0833/03, E-0890/03, E-1062/03, E-1063/03,E-1064/03, E-1065/03, E-1066/03, E-1067/03, E-1068/03, E-1069/03,E-1070/03, E-1071/03, E-1072/03, E-1073/03 and E-1074/03given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2003)

Some of the funds awarded under the Leonardo da Vinci programme are managed decentrally by national agencies, in particular the transnational mobility projects, whose total budget takes up almost 40 % of the total for the programme.

For these projects, please contact the national agency in Italy for further information:

ISFOLVia G.B. Morgagni 30/eI-00161 Romatel. (+39-06)44.59.01fax (+39-06)44.59.04.75.

With regard to the funds managed centrally by the Commission (pilot projects, thematic actions, language skills, transnational networks, reference tools), the search check for the municipalities of Frosinone, Fiumincino, Ancona, Carrara, Florence, Livorno, Macerata, Massa, Perugia, Pesaro, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Siena and Terni showed that:

- only Pesaro has submitted a proposal for a pilot project under the Leonardo programme. This project is entitled: Laboratori Tematici Virtuali: Metodologia di Supporto alla Formazione Nel Sel (Sistema Economico Locale) (virtual thematic workshops: methodology for fostering training in local economies);

- it obtained funding of EUR 264 161 for this project, which began at the end of 2002.

The Honourable Member could contact the local authorities mentioned above for more information.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1103/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(31 March 2003)

Subject: Use of funds from the action programme to promote civil protection by the municipality of Terni

In September 2002, the monitoring committee of the Italian Ministry for Economic Affairs issued a report on the spending of EU funds.

The report reveals the alarming slowness and inefficiency with which EU funds are allocated to projects by some regional authorities.

The grave concerns about the inadequate use of European funds by local authorities have frequently been echoed by the Commission.

Bearing in mind that some local authorities, such as the municipality of Terni, urgently need to use European funds for the civil protection of persons and goods, whether by preventing, or at least dealing with, potential natural disasters or even so-called technological and industrial disasters, can the Commission state:

1. whether the municipality of Terni has submitted projects for the action programme to support civil protection?

2. whether the municipality of Terni has secured funding for these projects?

3. whether this funding has been used?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-0829/03, E-0889/03, E-1091/03, E-1092/03,E-1093/03, E-1094/03, E-1095/03, E-1096/03, E-1097/03, E-1098/03,E-1099/03, E-1100/03, E-1101/03, E-1102/03 and E-1103/03given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 2003)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that, over the last two years, the municipalities of Frosinone, Fiumicino, Ancona, Carrara, Livorno, Florence, Macerata, Massa, Perugia, Pesaro, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Siena and Terni have submitted no projects for the Community action programme in the field of civil protection established by Council Decision 1999/847/EC of 9 December 1999(1) and that, accordingly, they have received no financial aid in that context.

The action programme is intended to support and supplement Member States' efforts at national, regional and local levels to protect persons, property and the environment in the event of natural and technological disasters. With an annual budget of EUR 1,5 million (budget heading B4-308), the programme is able to finance action relating to prevention, preparedness, response, immediate aftercare and analysis of the socio-economic implications of disasters. Only action involving all the Member States or a large number of them is eligible. Eligible action has to be in line with the priorities determined each year by the Commission with the assistance of a management committee.

The Commission can also inform the Honourable Member that a whole series of examples of projects carried out through the Community action programme in the field of civil protection can be found at the following Internet address: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/civil/

(1) OJ L 327, 21.12.1999.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1069/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(31 March 2003)

Subject: Use of funds from the Leonardo da Vinci programme by the municipality of Pesaro

In September 2002, the monitoring committee of the Italian Ministry for Economic Affairs issued a report on the spending of EU funds.

The report reveals the alarming slowness and inefficiency with which EU funds are allocated to projects by some regional authorities.

The grave concerns about the inadequate use of European funds by local authorities have frequently been echoed by the Commission.

Bearing in mind that some local authorities, such as the municipality of Pesaro, urgently need to use European funds to enhance quality, promote innovation and support the European dimension of vocational training systems and practices, can the Commission state:

1. whether the municipality of Pesaro has submitted projects for the Leonardo da Vinci programme?

2. whether the municipality of Pesaro has secured funding for these projects?

3. whether this funding has been used?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-0833/03, E-0890/03, E-1062/03, E-1063/03,E-1064/03, E-1065/03, E-1066/03, E-1067/03, E-1068/03, E-1069/03,E-1070/03, E-1071/03, E-1072/03, E-1073/03 and E-1074/03given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2003)

Some of the funds awarded under the Leonardo da Vinci programme are managed decentrally by national agencies, in particular the transnational mobility projects, whose total budget takes up almost 40 % of the total for the programme.

For these projects, please contact the national agency in Italy for further information:

ISFOLVia G.B. Morgagni 30/eI-00161 Romatel. (+39-06)44.59.01fax (+39-06)44.59.04.75.

With regard to the funds managed centrally by the Commission (pilot projects, thematic actions, language skills, transnational networks, reference tools), the search check for the municipalities of Frosinone, Fiumincino, Ancona, Carrara, Florence, Livorno, Macerata, Massa, Perugia, Pesaro, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Siena and Terni showed that:

- only Pesaro has submitted a proposal for a pilot project under the Leonardo programme. This project is entitled: Laboratori Tematici Virtuali: Metodologia di Supporto alla Formazione Nel Sel (Sistema Economico Locale) (virtual thematic workshops: methodology for fostering training in local economies);

- it obtained funding of EUR 264 161 for this project, which began at the end of 2002.

The Honourable Member could contact the local authorities mentioned above for more information.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0965/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(26 March 2003)

Subject: Utilisation of SAVE II and Altener II funds by the municipality of Macerata

In September 2002, the monitoring committee of the Italian ministry of the economy presented its statement on the expenditure of funding made available by the European Union.

Its research showed that some local authorities were worryingly slow and inefficient in awarding projects.

The European Commission has also emphasised concern on various occasions at the under-utilisation of European funding by local authorities.

Considering that, in particular, some local municipalities such as Macerata are in great need of European funding to limit carbon dioxide emissions, improve air quality and combat pollution, can the Commission indicate:

1. whether the municipality of Macerata has submitted any projects under the SAVE II or Altener II programmes;

2. whether the municipality of Macerata has received funding for those projects;

3. whether that funding has been utilised?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-0961/03, E-0962/03, E-0963/03,E-0964/03, E-0965/03, E-0966/03, E-0967/03, E-0968/03,E-0969/03, E-0970/03, E-0971/03, E-0972/03 and E-0973/03given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2003)

The Commission informs the Honourable Member that for the Communes which are referred to in the questions: Ancona, Carrara, Firenze, Livorno, Macerata, Massa, Perugia, Pesaro, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Siena and Terni, one SAVE II project receives Community Support, while one submitted Altener II proposal was not selected for support.

1. The city of Pistoia has submitted one proposal for the Altener II programme in the Calls for proposals 2001. This proposal Resred did not succeed and was not granted support.

2. The city of Perugia has submitted one proposal for the SAVE programme in the Calls for proposals 2002. This proposal Awereness Programme for Policy Makers in Energy Efficiency Low Income Housing (APPEEL) was selected for support.

The budget for APPEEL will be spent during 2003 and 2004.

The contracting part will be: city of Perugia.

The City of Perugia participates as one of in all six contractors in this successfully evaluated proposal APPEEL. The contract number will be 4.1031/Z/02-025 The total budget for the contract is EUR 484 406 and the total Community support is EUR 242 203. The city of Perugia's share of the budget is EUR 42 000 and the Community support for the city of Perugia is EUR 21 000. The contract is currently being prepared.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0890/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(21 March 2003)

Subject: Use of funds from the Leonardo da Vinci programme by the municipality of Fiumicino

In September 2002, the monitoring committee of the Italian Ministry for Economic Affairs issued a report on the spending of EU funds.

The report reveals the alarming slowness and inefficiency with which EU funds are allocated to projects by some regional authorities.

The grave concerns about the inadequate use of European funds by local authorities have frequently been echoed by the Commission.

Bearing in mind that some local authorities, such as the municipality of Fiumicino, urgently need to use European funds to enhance quality, promote innovation and support the European dimension of vocational training systems and practices, can the Commission state:

1. whether the municipality of Fiumicino has submitted projects for the Leonardo da Vinci programme?

2. whether the municipality of Fiumicino has secured funding for these projects?

3. whether this funding has been used?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-0833/03, E-0890/03, E-1062/03, E-1063/03,E-1064/03, E-1065/03, E-1066/03, E-1067/03, E-1068/03, E-1069/03,E-1070/03, E-1071/03, E-1072/03, E-1073/03 and E-1074/03given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2003)

Some of the funds awarded under the Leonardo da Vinci programme are managed decentrally by national agencies, in particular the transnational mobility projects, whose total budget takes up almost 40 % of the total for the programme.

For these projects, please contact the national agency in Italy for further information:

ISFOLVia G.B. Morgagni 30/eI-00161 Romatel. (+39-06)44.59.01fax (+39-06)44.59.04.75.

With regard to the funds managed centrally by the Commission (pilot projects, thematic actions, language skills, transnational networks, reference tools), the search check for the municipalities of Frosinone, Fiumincino, Ancona, Carrara, Florence, Livorno, Macerata, Massa, Perugia, Pesaro, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Siena and Terni showed that:

- only Pesaro has submitted a proposal for a pilot project under the Leonardo programme. This project is entitled: Laboratori Tematici Virtuali: Metodologia di Supporto alla Formazione Nel Sel (Sistema Economico Locale) (virtual thematic workshops: methodology for fostering training in local economies);

- it obtained funding of EUR 264 161 for this project, which began at the end of 2002.

The Honourable Member could contact the local authorities mentioned above for more information.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1259/03

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 April 2003)

Subject: European Union action on the problem of recovering fuel oil from the Prestige

What actual technical and financial measures have ensued from the Commission's position that recovering fuel oil from the Prestige represents a problem for the whole of the EU?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2003)

The Commission would refer to the Honourable Member to its reply it gave to Oral Question H-069/03 by Mr Camillo Nogueira Roman during question time at Parliament's March 2003 session(1) and to his Written Question E- 3595/02(2).

The Commission wishes to remind him that a report on action to deal with the effects of the Prestige disaster was adopted on 5 March 2003. This report concerns past, present and future actions undertaken at Community level in order to remedy the consequences of the Prestige disaster and to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future. It has been submitted to the European Council of 21 March 2003.

(1) Written reply, 11.3.2003.

(2) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 63.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1302/03

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: Let me tell you a secret about the environment Publication ISBN 92-894-3866-5

Can the Commission say which age group the publication is targeted at? Can it also say whether the level of language and vocabulary in the text has been approved as appropriate for that age group, if so by whom? Can the Commission say whether the book has been examined by an educational psychologist and whether the content/storyline has been approved by such a professional as suitable for the targeted age group?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(2 May 2003)

The publication the Honourable Member is referring to, Let me tell you a secret about the environment, has been produced within the Environment Directorate General (DG) in co-operation with the Press and Communications DG.

The message is about three environmental problems requiring our urgent attention: the proliferation of waste, the destruction of the ozone layer and the greenhouse effect. The story is targeting children between six and ten years of age and has been written in Belgium by a specialist in children's literature who has published several booklets in this field. As part of the preparations, a test group of children (six to ten years old) chose this story among three as their favourite one.

When addressing children, messages have to be simplified and symbols and feelings have to be used to get messages across.

The Commission has also followed the advice on how to address children, expressed in the work of RETZ Pedagogy and the Environment:

- to make them think and ask questions about the world around them;

- to extend their thoughts to different environments, near and far;

- to encourage their desire to understand and to learn more (about their environment) so that they will feel responsible for a part of the planet;

- to help them observe better, implement actions, anticipate, explain and respect the global environment.

Numerous spontaneous letters and requests from teachers all over Europe confirm the success of the story for children in primary schools. As a further example Kindergarten Times offered to deliver the booklet together with their magazine as they felt it to be of importance to parents. The Commission is, therefore, convinced that the publication is suitable for the targeted age group.