2021 discharge: European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA)

The European Parliament decided to grant discharge to the Executive Director of ENISA (European Union Agency for Cyber Security) in respect of the implementation of the Agency's budget for the financial year 2021 and to approve the closure of the accounts for that year.

Noting that the Court of Auditors stated that it had obtained reasonable assurance that the Agency's annual accounts for the financial year 2021 were reliable and that the underlying transactions were legal and regular, Parliament adopted, by 548 votes to 47, with 35 abstentions, a resolution containing a series of recommendations which form an integral part of the discharge decision and which complement the general recommendations set out in the resolution on the performance, financial management and control of EU agencies.

Agency’s financial statements

ENISA's final budget for the year 2021 was EUR 23 473 060, including a contribution of EUR 640 000 from the Hellenic authorities for the rent of the office building, representing an increase of 8.26 % compared to 2020.

Budgetary and financial management

Budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2021 resulted in a budget implementation of current year commitment appropriations rate of 99.51 %, representing an increase of 2.16 % compared to 2020. Payment appropriations execution rate was 77.40 % (short of the Agency’s planned target of 85 %), representing an increase of 8.77 % compared to 2020.

Other observations

Parliament also made a series of observations concerning performance, staff policy, internal controls and Covid-19.

In particular, it noted that:

- the Agency’s key performance indicators were fulfilled and that the Agency has drawn attention to measures that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its work;

- on 31 December 2021, the establishment plan was 90.79 % implemented, with 69 temporary agents appointed out of 76 temporary agents authorised under the Union budget (compared to 69 authorised posts in 2020). The gender imbalance reported for 2020 in senior management is still of concern;

- the Agency concluded a total of 58 public procurement procedures, including two jointly with CEDEFOP. Public procurement weaknesses have been observed which are increasing and remain the largest source of irregular payments for most of agencies;

- more systematic rules on transparency, incompatibilities, conflict of interests, illegal lobbying and revolving doors should be put in place. The Authority should also strengthen its internal control mechanisms, including the setting up of an internal anticorruption mechanism;

- the Agency’s policy conflicts of interest and its anti-fraud strategy were updated and adopted in 2021;

- the digitalisation of procedures should be accelerated.