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REPORT (2023/2137(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022, Section VIII – European Ombudsman

A-9-2024-0084

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Luke Ming Flanagan

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament grants the European Ombudsman discharge for the 2022 budget and sets out observations in a resolution. The Ombudsman's 2022 budget was EUR 12 222 108, with a 96,97 % implementation rate and 6 budget transfers totalling EUR 344 460. Parliament notes the Court of Auditors found no specific issues, and that 14 of 60 transactions had errors but below the materiality threshold. It raises concerns over delays in access to documents and longer complaint and inquiry handling times, and calls for streamlined processes. It covers staff, ethics, digitalisation, buildings, environment, interinstitutional cooperation and communication, welcoming progress and urging further efforts.

Committee position. The Committee on Budgetary Control proposes that Parliament grant the European Ombudsman discharge for the 2022 budget and adopt observations in a resolution covering budgetary management, internal control, staff, ethics, digitalisation, buildings, environment, cooperation and communication.

Key points

  1. Parliament grants the European Ombudsman discharge for the implementation of its 2022 budget.
  2. The Ombudsman's budget falls under MFF heading 7, which totalled EUR 11,6 billion (5,9 % of Union spending) in 2022; the Ombudsman represented 0,1 % of that heading.
  3. The Court of Auditors examined 60 transactions, found 14 (23 %) with errors, and estimated the error level below the materiality threshold; it identified no specific issues concerning the Ombudsman.
  4. The Ombudsman's 2022 budget was EUR 12 222 108, a decrease of EUR 280 000 from 2021; the implementation rate was 96,97 %.
  5. The Ombudsman made 6 budget transfers totalling EUR 344 460 (2.8 % of appropriations); the budget nomenclature for item '2000' was split into four subcategories.
  6. Average payment time rose from 11,35 to 13 days; an electronic invoicing system from 2023 is expected to improve efficiency, and Parliament asks for a timeline for its full implementation.
  7. The Ombudsman received 2,223 complaints in 2022, opened 348 inquiries and closed 330; 35 % of complaints were within its mandate.
  8. Parliament is concerned about delays in access to documents, supports the view that access delayed is access denied, and calls for streamlined administrative processes.
  9. A simplified procedure cut handling of 'outside the mandate' complaints from 15 to 3 days, but average complaint handling rose from 61 to 91 days and inquiry handling from 112 to 166 days.
  10. The Ombudsman had 74 staff at end-2022, with 18 nationalities represented and 67 % women and 33 % men; Parliament urges continued efforts on geographical and gender balance.
  11. Parliament regrets the vacant Secretary-General post since 1 September 2022 and that the Ombudsman did not formally join the EU transparency register.
  12. Parliament welcomes digitalisation, no cyberattacks in 2022, cooperation with ENISA, and the Ombudsman's communication strategy, which saw a 43,8 % budget increase and 60 % more press articles.

Who is affected

  • The European Ombudsman, which receives discharge and is asked to act on transparency, staffing and digitalisation.
  • Citizens and residents of the EU who complain to the Ombudsman about maladministration or access to documents.
  • The European Parliament, which is asked to improve accessibility of the building rented to the Ombudsman in Brussels.
  • The European Commission, which is asked about transparency in national recovery plans and cooperates on electronic invoicing.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 11,6 billion, i.e. 5,9 % of Union budget spending, for MFF heading 7 in 2022.
  • 0,1 % of MFF heading 7 appropriations represented by the Ombudsman's budget.
  • 60 transactions examined by the Court of Auditors under Administration.
  • 14 (23 %) of 60 transactions contained errors.
  • EUR 12 222 108, the Ombudsman's 2022 budget, a decrease of EUR 280 000 compared to 2021.
  • 96,97 % budget implementation rate in 2022, compared to 88,8 % the previous year.
  • 6 budget transfers totalling EUR 344 460, or 2.8 % of appropriations.
  • 2,223 complaints received in 2022, compared to 2,192 in 2021; 348 inquiries opened and 330 closed.

Legal basis: Article 314(10) and Articles 317, 318 and 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.