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2011 discharge: European Training Foundation (ETF)

2012/2192(DEC)

The Committee on Budgetary Control adopted the report by Gerben-Jan GERBRANDY (ADLE, NL) on discharge to be granted to the Director of the European

Training Foundation (ETF) in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2011.

Noting that the Court of Auditors stated that it has obtained reasonable assurances that the annual accounts of the Foundation for the financial year 2011 are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular, Members approve the closure of ETF’s accounts. However, they make a number of recommendations that need to be taken into account when the discharge is granted, in addition to the general recommendations that appear in the draft resolution on performance, financial management and control of EU agencies:

  • Financing, budget and financial management: the total contribution of the Union to the Foundation's budget for 2011 was EUR 19.85 million, which represents an increase of 2.86%. At the end of 2011, the Foundation recorded a positive budget outturn of EUR 117 686,58.
  • Implementation rate of appropriations and carryovers: noting that the Foundation achieved a payment execution rate of 99.8% in 2011, Members, on the other hand, deplore the significant amount of carryovers. They note that the rate for the carry forward of operational activities – differentiated appropriations (reste à liquider) is 33%.

Lastly, Members made a series of observations as regards ETF’s recruitment policies, premises, control and performances. They welcome the improved cooperation between the Foundation and Cedefop and call for new synergies with other competent agencies in the field of training.