WRITTEN QUESTION E-0888/03 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Use of funds from the FIFG by the municipality of Fiumicino.
Date: 2003-03-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, FIFG, Latium, fishing industry, local government

C 65 E/52

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

which may prove necessary for the operation of the common market even where the Treaty has not
provided such powers.

In view of the many initiatives aimed at securing Union intervention in the area of family policy and the
importance which the Charter of Fundamental Rights (Article 9) attributes to the family, can the
Commission say:

1. whether it intends to take action to fill gaps of this kind;

2. whether there are any programmes which, whilst not targeting policies for the benefit of families, may
in some way meet Lazio Regional Council’s request for the funding of projects to build facilities for
young children or convert existing ones?

(1) OJ C 301 E, 5.12.2002, p. 177.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2003)

On the question on whether the Commission intend to take action on the family policy sphere, the
Commission reiterates the fact that there is no legal basis to develop and implement measures at Union
level in the area of family policy. These come under national remit and are defined and implemented
exclusively by the Member States. This approach is in line with the 1998 Court Case decision on legal
basis (United Kingdom vs Community actions to combat social exclusion (cid:1) Case C-106/96 from 12/05/
1998). In this context, and considering the principle of subsidiary, the Commission does not envisage to
promote or financially support initiatives in the family policy area.

As far as childcare facilities are related, and in the context of the European Employment Strategy, the
Commission has actively promoted (proposing guidelines for Member States employment policies) the
adequate provision of affordable, accessible and good quality care for children in order to support female
participation in the labour market. Furthermore, the Commission monitors the implementation by the
Member States of the targets for the provision of childcare facilities set by the European Councils of
Stockholm and Barcelona. In the framework of the Social Inclusion Process and the fight against poverty,
the reconciliation of work and family life, the provision of care and the elimination of social exclusion
among children are also addressed and monitored.

This means that, as recalled by the Honourable Member, the issue of the provision of childcare facilities is
high in the political agenda. However, the concrete actions to implement the policy orientations, although
monitored by the Commission, remain a Member States responsibility.

More specifically on the request for programmes to fund the building of facilities for young children in the
Lazio Region, the programmes managed directly by the Commission (and governed by the rules of public
procurement), do not include any possibility for funding the building of child care infrastructure. However,
this type of infrastructure is eligible under the Structural Funds provided that it is foreseen in a regional
programme. Nevertheless, as these Funds are mainly managed at regional level, any funding possibility has
to be checked with the relevant regional body.

(2004/C 65 E/051)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0888/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(21 March 2003)

Subject: Use of funds from the FIFG 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.

13.3.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/53

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 support structural measures in the sector of fisheries, acquaculture and the processing
and marketing of the relevant products, can the Commission state:

1. whether the municipality of Fiumicino has submitted projects for the FIFG?

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

3. whether this funding has been used?

(2004/C 65 E/052)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1186/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(1 April 2003)

Subject: Use of funds from the FIFG by the municipality of Ancona

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 Ancona, urgently need to use
European funds to support structural measures in the sector of fisheries, acquaculture and the processing
and marketing of the relevant products,

can the Commission state:

1. whether the municipality of Ancona has submitted projects for the FIFG?

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

3. whether this funding has been used?

(2004/C 65 E/053)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1187/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(1 April 2003)

Subject: Use of funds from the FIFG by the municipality of Carrara

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 Carrara, urgently need to use
European funds to support structural measures in the sector of fisheries, acquaculture and the processing
and marketing of the relevant products,