WRITTEN QUESTION E-1208/03 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Progress made by programmes for the development of workshops and infrastructures for technical education establishments.
Date: 2003-04-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, educational institution, operational programme, teaching materials, technical education

C 11 E/166

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2003)

The Territorial Employment Pacts (TEPs) are pilot actions to test the possibility of bringing together local
employers, local employment services and local authorities in order to elaborate and implement small scale
development schemes through which jobs may be offered to local unemployed. These jobs are of a
temporary nature and last for as long as the actions run. Although TEPs do not guarantee permanent jobs,
successfully evaluated TEP actions may be included later in Community mainstream programmes and
funded through them.

According to the relevant regulation (1), the selection of the projects and actions to be co-funded through
Community programmes by the Structural Funds is the responsibility of the Member States. Consequently,
the funding of a second generation of TEPs and/or the mainstreaming of first generation TEP actions
within the regional operational programmes, is the exclusive responsibility of the Greek authorities.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds,

OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2004/C 11 E/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1208/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 April 2003)

Subject: Progress made by programmes for the development of workshops and infrastructures for technical

education establishments

Technical schools in Greece, whose objective as laid down by their statutes is to equip young people
professionally to enter the employment market, are suffering from a severe shortage of workshops and up-
to-date equipment. This is undermining the quality of technical education and many students are therefore
dropping out and becoming sidelined. According to Eurostat, youth unemployment and education drop-
out rates in Greece are among the highest in the Union.

In view of the fact that Action 5.2 of the Second Operational Programme for Education and Initial
Vocational Training of the Third Community Support Framework for Greece provides for the development
of workshops and infrastructures for technical educational establishments and given that the programme is
now in its third year of operation:

1. What progress has been made by this action?

2. Are delays occurring and if so, why?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2003)

According to the information received from the Greek authorities, progress regarding the action for the
development of workshops and infrastructures for technical educational establishments can be summarised
as follows.

The operational programme ‘Education and initial vocational training’ was adopted by the Commission on
16 March 2001, while the programme complement was confirmed by the Monitoring Committee of the
programme on 29 May 2001. During the first two years of implementation of the operational programme,
an amount of EUR 4 440 000 was spent on the procurement of basic workshop equipment.

15.1.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 11 E/167

During this period a number of actions were taken. A study was completed on the workshop equipment
needed by sector and area of expertise. Detailed specifications were also drafted. The planning of all
necessary complementary actions (including training of trainers and development of educational and
training tools) was completed by 2002.

In terms of physical output, workshops have been developed in 316 technical education establishments,
while 130 others are currently starting up. A further 135 etablishments are set to receive workshops on
the basis of the most recent tender.

This information suggests that there have been no undue delays in the implementation of the action in
question.

(2004/C 11 E/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1240/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 April 2003)

Subject: EU waste strategy

What steps, if any, is the Commission taking to prepare a strategy and recommendations for reducing the
total volume of waste being generated across the EU? Is the Commission able to identify any examples in
Member States of successful implementation of zero waste growth or total waste reduction policies?

Does the Commission have any plans to introduce requirements for a minimum content of recyclable
materials in all goods and packaging?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2003)

Data on overall waste generation are too scarce to allow a judgement whether particular Member States
have been successful or not in reducing overall waste generation (1). Overall, waste quantities still seem to
be on the rise. Therefore, while the goal of 200 waste is one to which we could aspire, it is not yet
possible to identify any examples in Member States of successful zero waste growth or total waste
reduction policies. Data on municipal waste (around 10-15 % of overall waste) are more complete although
there should still be some degree of caution as regards the exactness of data. Data from the European
Environment Agency indicate that apart from Germany and Finland, the amount of municipal waste has
increased in all Member States between 1990 and 1995 (1). This suggests that successful strategies towards
an absolute reduction of waste generation are rare and have not led to significant overall reductions in
waste generation. More information and case studies can be found in the European Environment Agency’s
publication ‘Case studies on waste minimisation practices in Europe’ (2).

The Commission is currently preparing a thematic strategy on waste prevention and recycling, pursuant to
the 6th Environment Action Programme. As a first step, a communication to the Parliament and the
Council is foreseen within the coming months. This communication will inter alia describe experiences on
waste prevention. It will launch a general debate on possible measures for waste prevention and recycling
and invites the European institutions and stakeholders to contribute to the further development of the
strategy.