WRITTEN QUESTION No. 576/99 by Antonio TAJANI European recognition for the profession of family adviser
Date: 1999-03-12
Institutions: European Parliament, TAJANI
Subjects: access to a profession, free movement of workers, paramedical profession, professional qualifications, recognition of diplomas

3.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 348/103

(1999/C 348/129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0576/99

by Antonio Tajani (PPE) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: European recognition for the profession of family adviser

Several European Union Member States already recognise the profession of family adviser, a practitioner who
uses psychotherapeutic techniques in the provision of help to individuals, couples and family groups.

Does the Commission believe that procedures should be set in motion for the Europe-wide recognition of a
profession that is bound to play an increasingly important social role in the future?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Under the approach followed by Directives 89/48/EEC (1) and 92/51/EEC (2) on a general system for the
recognition of diplomas and other professional qualifications, each Member State remains free to regulate (or
not to regulate) a given profession, or to decide on the level and content of the training required for the
exercise of that profession. These directives are intended only to establish the legal framework for the free
movement of the regulated professions within the European Economic Area, and they would of course apply
to the profession of family adviser or psychotherapist if that profession were regulated in the host Member
State.

Since the adoption of the above directives, the Commission has adopted an extremely restrictive approach as
regards the possibility of new regulations specific to a profession. In this context, the Commission would refer
the honourable Member to its reply to Written Questions E-4094/93 Mr Chiabrando and Pisoni (3) and
E-2133/98 by Mr Paasilinna (4).

The Commission would therefore inform the honourable Member that it does not intend to present a proposal
for a regulation specifically for the profession of family adviser or psychotherapist.

(1) OJ L 19, 24.1.1989.
(2) OJ L 209, 24.7.1992.
(3) OJ C 332, 28.11.1994.
(4) OJ C 118, 9.4.1999.

(1999/C 348/130)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0582/99

by Mark Killilea (UPE) to the Commission

(3 March 1999)

Subject: State aid to commercial property

Can the Commission provide full details of operating aid to commercial property that has been approved for
State aid purposes in all of the Member States? In particular, can the Commission categorise and quantify the
volume of aid as it relates to capital allowances or accelerated depreciation arrangements, rent subsidies or
other similar arrangements and waivers from local or regional authority charges?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(8 April 1999)

A detailed breakdown of state aid grants as requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available. The
Commission’s surveys on state aid only distinguish according to the following types of aid: grants, tax
exemptions, tax deferrals, equity participation, guarantees and soft loans. Tax exemptions and deferrals
together amounted to 24 % of the state aid to the manufacturing sector in the period of the last survey
(1994-1996).