WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1056/99 by Daniela RASCHHOFER Award of contracts
3. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 348/149 the Member States. In order to help take the matter forward the Commission carried out two feasibility studies. The first in 1993 covered the then 12 Member States, while the second in 1997 looked at the situation in more detail in five Member States " Denmark, France, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Copies of the final reports of these studies have been given to the members of the Parliament’s Intergroup on ageing. These reports show that although all the Member States offer some form of concessionary scheme to older people, many do not use a card system as such, and the conditions entitling people to transport and cultural concessions also vary greatly from one Member State to another. Several Member States have no national concession scheme but rely instead on a decentralised localised approach with variations between regions. The sheer number and variety of schemes operated by Member States, combined with the fact that the situation is constantly changing, make it difficult to gain an accurate, up-to-date picture at European level. The Commission remains convinced of the usefulness of an Community wide older persons’ card in promoting a stronger sense of European citizenship and in encouraging greater mutual acquaintance and understanding between citizens of the different Member States. The Commission is currently discussing the conclusions and recommendations of the latest feasibility report with Member State representatives. (1) OJ L 144, 27. 5. 1989. (1999/C 348/206) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1056/99 by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission (20 April 1999) Subject: Award of contracts The city of Vienna is the owner of some 220 000 homes. For decades these have been insured by the same insurance company, even though there has never been any call for tenders. 1. Should there be an invitation to tender, in accordance with relevant EU directives, for individual service and building contracts above the threshold value for homes owned directly or indirectly by the city of Vienna? If not, why not? If so, what action will the Commission take to put an end to this state of affairs which is in violation of 2. the Treaties? Answer by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (6 May 1999) The service contracts and the works contracts which reach the thresholds laid down in the directives (1) 1. and which are awarded by the City of Vienna for housing which it owns directly or indirectly must be awarded in accordance with one of the procedures and according to the rules stipulated in these directives. 2. The Commission would need to have more precise information about the type of insurance services in order to decide whether Council Directive 92/50/EEC of 18 June 1992 relating to the coordination of procedures for the award of public service contracts and Council Directive 93/37/EEC of 14 June 1993 concerning the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts (2) were applicable in this instance. The Commission has therefore contacted the Austrian authorities to ask for information on the type of insurance services and the items covered and on existing insurance contracts. (1) OJ L 209, 24. 7. 1992. (2) OJ L 199, 9. 8. 1993