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DRAFT REPORT (2023/2169(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) for the financial year 2022

CONT-PR-753540

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Petri Sarvamaa

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This draft report concerns discharge for Europol's 2022 budget. It proposes granting discharge to the Executive Director and approving the closure of the accounts, with observations in a resolution. It notes the Court of Auditors found the accounts reliable and transactions legal and regular, and reviews budget implementation, performance, staff, procurement, conflicts of interest and internal control. It commends Europol's support to member states after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, its efficiency measures and its environmental registration, while flagging carry-overs, surplus levels and an irregular VAT reimbursement.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament grant discharge to Europol's Executive Director for the 2022 budget and approve the closure of the accounts, with observations set out in the accompanying resolution.

Key points

  1. Parliament grants the Executive Director of Europol discharge for the 2022 budget and approves the closure of the 2022 accounts.
  2. The Court of Auditors obtained reasonable assurance that Europol's 2022 annual accounts are reliable and the underlying transactions legal and regular.
  3. Budget implementation in 2022 was 96,62 % in commitment appropriations and 79,73 % in payment appropriations; payment delays fell to 7,2 %.
  4. Parliament notes a low 85 % implementation of 2021 carry-overs, unused appropriations of EUR 3,8 million, 2022 carry-forwards of 17 % or EUR 32,5 million, and a 2022 surplus of EUR 10,3 million; it asks to be kept informed on the action plan.
  5. Europol monitored 15 key performance indicators and 56 work programme indicators; 10 KPIs and 40 WPIs met or exceeded targets, with 2 758 operations and 394 action days supported.
  6. Parliament commends Europol's support to member states after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including experts, threat assessments and financial investigations, and encourages further efforts.
  7. Parliament welcomes Europol's revised strategy, efficiency measures such as in-sourcing ICT and digitalised HR, and its EMAS registration and green procurement; it asks to be informed of the environmental vision 2030 study.
  8. The establishment plan was 99,41 % implemented with 682 temporary agents; the vacancy rate was 0,6 % and the turnover rate rose to 9,12 %.
  9. Parliament notes gender distribution: 82 % men in senior and middle management, 75 % men on the management board and 65 % men overall.
  10. The Court found that EUR 0,2 million of a EUR 3,3 million grant reimbursed VAT irregularly; Europol will assess VAT eligibility in operational grants in light of the observations.
  11. Parliament notes six conflict-of-interest cases and one whistle-blowing case in 2022, and an Ombudsman inquiry into two former staff members' moves to a technology stakeholder.
  12. The Court found EUR 155 553 in daily subsistence allowances paid to three Dutch seconded national experts not entitled to them, of which EUR 90 605 in 2022; Europol stopped payments but did not recover the amounts.

Who is affected

  • Europol and its Executive Director: the report proposes granting discharge and closing the 2022 accounts.
  • Europol's management and staff: the report sets out observations on budget, staff, procurement and internal control.
  • Member states' law enforcement authorities: they benefit from Europol support and training grants.

Figures and deadlines

  • Final budget for 2022: EUR 197 759 722, an increase of 10,91 % compared to 2021.
  • Budget implementation in 2022: 96,62 % in commitment appropriations, a decrease of 2,10 % compared to 2021.
  • Payment appropriations execution rate: 79,73 %, a decrease of 3,78 % compared to 2021.
  • Unused carry-over appropriations: EUR 3,8 million; carry-forwards from 2022 to 2023: 17 % or EUR 32,5 million.
  • Surplus at end of 2022: EUR 10,3 million, compared to EUR 5,1 million in 2021.
  • Grant paid to a national police force: EUR 3,3 million, including EUR 1,4 million for five boats and a 7 % overhead provision; EUR 0,2 million found irregular.
  • Daily subsistence allowances paid to three Dutch seconded national experts: EUR 155 553 total, of which EUR 90 605 in 2022.

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