WRITTEN QUESTION P-2381/01 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. European platform for old people's homes.
Date: 2001-08-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European association, European social policy, elderly person, living conditions, professional association, social facilities

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 40 E/241

(2002/C 40 E/261)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2365/01

by Gabriele Stauner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Revision of the Framework Agreement

(31 July 2001)

In paragraph 1 of its resolution of 4 April 2001 containing observations as part of the decision concerning
discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for 1999,
to be governed by the following
Parliament called for the revision of
principles:

the Framework Agreement,

(a) Confirmation of

the right of any Member of Parliament

to demand and receive confidential

information, too, where necessary, from the Commission pursuant to Article 197 EC,

(b) Unreserved application of the provisions of Annex VII to the Rules of Procedure on the consideration
of confidential documents, which includes the right of any committee member to consider the
confidential documents,

(c) Forwarding of complete original documents without prior alterations or obliterated text.

What steps has the Commission taken or does it intend to take to comply with this request?

Is the Commission prepared to apply the principles set out by Parliament, pending an official revision of
the Framework Agreement? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(13 September 2001)

1.
Article 4 of Annexe III to the Framework Agreement contains a very specific procedure to be
followed for its possible revision. More precisely, Article 4 of Annex III stipulates that (cid:145)In the light of
experience acquired, the Presidents of the two institutions may propose that additions or changes be made
to this Annex(cid:146).

The 1999 discharge procedure was thee first to which the Framework Agreement concluded on

2.
5 July 2000 applied. The Commission intends to continue applying this agreement fully and loyally.

(2002/C 40 E/262)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2381/01

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 August 2001)

Subject: European platform for old people(cid:146)s homes

Will the Commission describe its policy for improving the living conditions of the elderly, particularly as
regards old people(cid:146)s homes?

Will it also say whether an association of representatives of old people(cid:146)s homes exists at European level
and, if so, whether the competent Commission services are working together with it as part of its policy
for the elderly?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(5 September 2001)

The Commission issued a general policy statement about older people in the May 1999 communication
(cid:145)Towards a Europe for All Ages(cid:146) (1).

C 40 E/242

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.2.2002

Residential and other types of long-term care form part of social protection provisions, which are the
responsibility of Member States. The Commission has no competencies in this area.

The Commission is not aware of the existence of any European association of representatives of residential
care homes. However, there is a European Association of residential care home managers and a European
network of directors of social services.

The (cid:145)E. D. E.(cid:146) is The (cid:145)European Association for Directors of Residential Care Homes for the Elderly(cid:146) (Home
page address: http://www.ede-association.org).

The (cid:145)European Social Network(cid:146) connects the national associations of directors of social services at the
European level (Home page address: http://www.socialeurope.com; E-mail address: info@socialeurope.com).

Both organisations are known to have participated in various calls for proposals and to have received
project support. Representatives of the Commission have occasionally accepted invitations to address the
annual conferences of
there is no collaboration between the
Commission and these organisations.

these organisations. But

in general

Finally, there is (cid:145)EACHH(cid:146), The (cid:145)European Association for organisation of Care and Help at Home(cid:146), (contact
address: Association EuropØenne d(cid:146)Organisations d(cid:146)Aides et de Soins a Domicile, Av. Ad. Lacomble 69,
B-040 Bruxelles, tel. 02 739.35.11, fax 02 739 35.99). Yet, as the name indicates this organisation is
concerned with home care and not with care in residential homes.

(1) COM(1999) 221 final.

(2002/C 40 E/263)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2387/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 August 2001)

Subject: Pension Fund Manager commissions

Will the Commission estimate the average or typical cost paid to managers of pension funds in each
Member State as a proportion of the funds under management? Will it describe whether there are limits on
such commissions in any Member States (cid:129) either on all funds or a sub-set (cid:129) and, if so, what they are and
which Member States are concerned?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(21 September 2001)

The Commission is aware that the administration of pension funds and the corresponding costs could have
a significant impact on the efficiency and affordability of a certain pension fund in terms of return on
investment of the relevant assets.

Nevertheless, the Commission has no information on the average or typical costs paid to managers of
pension funds for the following reasons.

On the one hand, the Commission believes that competition and not regulation should lead to pensions
funds getting the best value from their fund managers. The Commission proposal (1) will lead to greater
choice in this respect. In addition, any limitation of the costs could have a negative impact on the quality
of the services provided and reduce the overall efficiency of the fund.