WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3331/97 by Thomas MANN to the Commission. Implementation of European Union measures at local level
30. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 134/139 Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (8 December 1997) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2945/97 by Mrs Muscardini (1). (1) OJ C 117, 16. 4. 1998, p. 108. (98/C 134/186) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3331/97 by Thomas Mann (PPE) to the Commission (22 October 1997) Subject: Implementation of European Union measures at local level In connection with European Union measures, such as those for the elderly, local authorities in my constituency have on numerous occasions complained that when European Union support programmes are announced the notice given and the deadlines for submitting applications are too short. It is often alleged therefore that Europeís programmes are of no more than token significance. The compilation of complex dossiers involves considerable difficulties for applicants. In addition to this, there is the time required for the adoption of relevant decisions by local assemblies, which cannot meet the Commissionís deadlines because of the need to complete statutory procedures. I therefore put the following questions to the Commission: 1. How are local authorities informed about the existence of relevant support programmes and how does the Commission intend to improve the often inadequate flow of information? 2. Why are the deadlines for submitting applications for such programmes so short? 3. What possibilities are there of suitably extending these deadlines? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (27 November 1997) 1. The application guidelines concerning budget line B3-4104 Measures to assist the elderlyí were distributed to relevant ministries in all Member States and to the main European non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working for older people. A substantial number of application guidelines were also distributed following requests to the Commission. The Commission will, however, consider how to improve the distribution of information about the availability of funding, and the conditions for eligibility in the future. 2. The United Kingdom has challenged in the Court of justice the legality of Commission spending on the 1996 budget line Measures to assist the elderlyí. The Court ordered the Commission to suspend any payments from this budget line pending a final judgement. The British challenge made an assessment on the operationality of the 1997 budget line necessary. As a consequence, it was not possible to issue the guidelines earlier. The Commission considers all requests for extension of deadlines. However, in order to ensure fair 3. treatment of all applicants, the general principle is that the same deadline applies to everyone equally