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2011 discharge: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)

2012/2185(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 Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) 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 FRA for the financial year 2011 are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular, Members approve the closure of FRA’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: Members recall that the Foundation’s budget was EUR 20.18 million, and that the initial contribution of the Union to the Agency's budget for 2011 was EUR 19.978 million.
  • Implementation rate of appropriations and carryovers: Members acknowledge that in 2011, the Agency committed 100% of the appropriations received. They observe, however, that in terms of paid appropriations, the Agency's execution rate stands at only 27% for operational expenditure. They call on the Agency to implement specific measures to improve its budgeting process and execution rate of payment in the case of administrative and operational expenditure.

Lastly, Members made a series of observations as regards FRA’s recruitment policies and internal audit procedures. Members also highlight that there were cases of alleged psychological harassment within the Agency.