On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2024, Section VIII – European Ombudsman
CONT-PR-778065
Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Pasquale Tridico
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.
This draft report proposes granting discharge to the European Ombudsman for the 2024 budget, with observations in a resolution. It notes the budget, management, and performance, and raises concerns about the Secretary-General selection process.¶¶¶ The resolution covers budget execution, internal management, human resources, ethics, buildings, digitalisation, environment, interinstitutional cooperation, and communication, making various requests and recommendations.¶¶¶
Committee position. The rapporteur proposes granting discharge to the European Ombudsman for the 2024 financial year, with observations in a resolution.¶
Key points
- Grants discharge to the European Ombudsman for implementing its 2024 budget, or postpones the decision, and sets out observations in a resolution.¶¶
- Notes the Ombudsman's 2024 budget was EUR 13,843,160, a 4.77% increase from 2023, mainly due to salary adjustments; budget implementation rate was 97.55%.¶¶
- Notes all payments were made within 30 days, average payment time 13.20 days; asks the Commission to make SUMMA access affordable for the Ombudsman.¶
- Notes energy costs rose 75% due to Russia's war; acknowledges inflationary pressure affects budget sustainability; urges considering price volatility in contracts.¶
- Notes the Ombudsman handled 2,264 complaints, opened 411 inquiries, and closed 421; average inquiry time was 168 days, above the 150-day target.¶¶
- Urges the Ombudsman to provide all documents related to the Secretary-General selection, citing concerns about possible favouritism and refusal to share information.¶¶
- Urges the Ombudsman to improve geographical balance and gender representation among staff; notes overrepresentation of one nationality and more women than men.¶¶
- Welcomes efforts on ethics, transparency, and AI use; notes no conflicts of interest or whistleblowing cases reported in 2024.¶¶¶
- Notes the Ombudsman did not join the EU transparency register to maintain ability to investigate it, but aligns practices with its principles.¶
- Commends digitalisation of archives and AI translation reducing costs by over 65%; recommends prioritising human interpretation over AI.¶¶¶
- Notes no cyberattacks in 2024; EDPS closed a case against the Ombudsman after clarifications.¶¶
- Welcomes interinstitutional cooperation and savings; notes communication budget decreased by 38% to EUR 96,515 in 2024.¶¶
Who is affected
- The European Ombudsman: subject to discharge and must provide documents on Secretary-General selection and improve staff diversity.¶¶¶
- The Commission: asked to find a proportionate price for SUMMA access and to avoid delays in access to documents.¶¶
- Union institutions, bodies, and agencies: urged to avoid favouritism and conflicts of interest, and to improve transparency.¶
Figures and deadlines
- EUR 13,843,160: Ombudsman's 2024 budget, an increase of EUR 630,713 (+4.77%) from 2023.¶
- 97.55%: budget implementation rate in 2024, up 2.16% from 2023.¶
- 75%: increase in energy expenditure, from EUR 168,900 in 2023 to EUR 295,400 in 2024.¶
- 2,264: new complaints handled in 2024; 411 inquiries opened; 421 closed.¶
- 168 days: average time for dealing with an inquiry in 2024, above the 150-day target.¶
- 82%: acceptance rate of Ombudsman's proposals by institutions in 2024.¶
- 65%: reduction in translation costs from 2022 to 2024 due to AI.¶
- EUR 96,515: communication budget in 2024, down 38% from EUR 155,200 in 2023.¶
Legal basis: Article 314(10) and Articles 317, 318 and 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union¶