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DRAFT REPORT (2023/2160(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Union Agency for Railways for the financial year 2022

CONT-PR-753528

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Petri Sarvamaa

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This is the rapporteur's draft report on discharge for the European Union Agency for Railways' 2022 budget. It proposes granting discharge and closing the accounts, and sets out observations on budget management, performance, staff, procurement, conflicts of interest and internal control. The draft notes the Agency's 2022 budget was EUR 34 814 691, up 9,38% on 2021, with a budget implementation rate of 99,95% and a payment execution rate of 94,97%. It records the Court of Auditors' reasonable assurance on the accounts, but flags shortcomings in the new SUMMA financial system, late payments, delays in invoices and cost statements, and gaps in internal control. It asks the Agency to address the Court's observations in full, report on progress, and improve gender balance, conflict-of-interest monitoring and environmental targets.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament grant the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways discharge for the 2022 financial year and approve the closure of the Agency's 2022 accounts, while setting out observations in an accompanying resolution.

Key points

  1. Proposes granting the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways discharge for the 2022 financial year and approving the closure of the Agency's 2022 accounts.
  2. Notes the Agency's final 2022 budget was EUR 34 814 691, an increase of 9,38% compared to 2021, and derives mainly from the Union budget.
  3. Notes a budget implementation rate of 99,95% and a payment execution rate of 94,97%, and that global external factors such as the geopolitical context and energy crisis affected the budget.
  4. Notes the Agency joined the Commission's pilot phase of the new SUMMA budgetary and accounting system, and calls on it to address the Court's observations on risk management, financial circuits and user attribution rights in full.
  5. Notes that 12,2% of payments were late by more than 30 days in 2022, and that the Agency also incurred delays in issuing invoices and receiving statements of cost from National Safety Authorities.
  6. Notes the Agency reported 81,13% achievement of its 2022 annual work programme, up from 76,41% in 2021, with some KPIs not achieved.
  7. Notes main achievements including the Strengthening Action Plan 2023-2027, 1861 vehicle authorisations, 66 single safety certificates, the TSI revision package, and safety training modules on Just Culture.
  8. Notes the Agency received 12 additional temporary agents in 2022 but regrets the allocation of posts was not accompanied by a corresponding subsidy allocation.
  9. Notes the establishment plan was 97,40% executed with 150 temporary agents, 36 contract agents and 2 seconded national experts, and notes a lack of gender balance in senior management with 8 out of 10 being men.
  10. Notes the Agency published CVs and declarations of interests of management board members and senior management, but not of external and in-house experts, and regrets the lack of systematic monitoring of 'revolving door' situations.
  11. Notes with concern the Court's observations on shortcomings in management and control systems, including lack of a policy for classifying sensitive information and use of non-valid approval methods in procurement.
  12. Notes the OLAF investigation was closed in December 2022 with no findings, and that the building permit for the new Valenciennes building should be ready in March 2024 with construction starting in summer 2024.

Who is affected

  • The European Union Agency for Railways, which would receive discharge and account closure for 2022, and is asked to address the Court's observations.
  • The Agency's Executive Director, who is granted discharge and to whom the decision is forwarded.
  • National Safety Authorities, whose late submission of statements of cost contributes to the Agency's delays.
  • The Agency's staff, affected by gender balance, harassment cases and training participation rates.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 34 814 691 — the Agency's final budget for the 2022 financial year.
  • 9,38 % — increase in the Agency's 2022 budget compared to 2021.
  • 99,95 % — budget implementation rate of current year appropriations in 2022.
  • 94,97 % — current year payment appropriations execution rate in 2022.
  • 12,2 % — share of payments late by more than 30 days in 2022.
  • 81,13 % — achievement of the 2022 annual work programme, compared to 76,41 % in 2021.
  • 97,40 % — execution of the establishment plan on 31 December 2022, with 150 temporary agents out of 154 authorised.
  • 22,1 % for antifraud and 31,11 % for ethics — participation rates in 2022 training sessions.

Legal basis: Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.