2017 discharge: European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)

The European Parliament decided to grant discharge to the Director of the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) for the financial year 2017 and to approve the closure of the accounts for the financial year in question.

Noting that the Court of Auditors has stated that it has obtained reasonable assurances that the Institute’s annual accounts for the financial year 2017 are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular, Parliament adopted by 491 votes to 130 with 7 abstentions, a resolution containing a series of recommendations, which form an integral part of the decision on discharge and which add to the general recommendations set out in the draft resolution on performance, financial management and control of EU agencies:

Institute’s financial statements

The final budget of the Institute for the financial year 2017 was EUR 7 722 898, representing an increase of 1.24 % compared to 2016.

Budget and financial management

Budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2017 resulted in a budget implementation rate of 98.92 %, representing a slight increase of 0.5 % compared to 2016. Payment appropriations execution rate was 80.95 %, representing a notable increase of 8.12 % compared to the previous year. After analysing the advantages and disadvantages of differentiated appropriations, the Institute decided not to adopt them as a measure to address the multiannual nature of its operations. The cancellations of carry-overs from 2016 to 2017 amounted to EUR 34 865, representing 1.79 % of the total amount carried forward, showing a decrease of 0.07 % in comparison to 2016.

Members also made a series of observations regarding performance, staff policy, procurement and internal controls.

In particular, they noted that:

- the Institute implemented its work programme effectively and fulfilled 98.75 % of the single programming document activities in 2017;

- the Institute proactively initiated a joint activity with other agencies in 2017 consisting of training and experience-sharing workshops on preventing harassment;

- on 31 December 2017, the establishment plan was 96.30 % executed, with 26 temporary agents appointed out of 27 temporary agents authorised under the Union budget;

- there have been a follow up by the Institute on the reports related to sexual harassments of female workers and trainees in the agency. The Agency must be a role model in combating sexual harassment and ensuring safety and dignity for all its members of staff;

- the Institute was brought to court by unsuccessful tenders, claiming a total of EUR 700 000 in damages (amounting to up to 9 % of the Institute’s annual budget) and the annulment of the award decision. The Institute is already preparing to financially address the potential losses. Members noted from the Institute’s reply that it will adjust the procurement procedures regardless of the final judicial decision.