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Discharge 2022: European Union Agency for Asylum (before 19 January 2022: European Asylum Support Office)

TA-9-2024-0268 · P9_TA(2024)0268 · PE753.532

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Parliament grants the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Asylum discharge for the 2022 financial year and approves the closure of the Agency's 2022 accounts. In its resolution, Parliament notes the Agency's 2022 budget of EUR 186 842 192 and its budget implementation and payment rates, and flags a 15% cancellation rate of funds carried over from 2021. It commends the Agency's progress under Regulation (EU) 2021/2303, its support to member states during the Ukraine crisis, and its efficiency measures, while asking for more resources for liaison officers. Parliament raises concerns about internal management, an ongoing OLAF investigation, staff gender balance, harassment cases, procurement irregularities and open audit recommendations, and calls on the Agency to cooperate and report back.

Key points

  1. Parliament grants the Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Asylum discharge for the implementation of the Agency's 2022 budget and approves the closure of its 2022 accounts.
  2. The Agency's final 2022 budget was EUR 186 842 192, an increase of 12,46% compared to 2021, and its budget derives mainly from the Union budget.
  3. Budget implementation reached 96,23% for commitment appropriations and 89,55% for payment appropriations, but the 15% cancellation rate of funds carried over from 2021 missed the Agency's target of less than 10%.
  4. The Agency asked for an additional subsidy of EUR 12 million in commitment appropriations and EUR 6 million in payment appropriations for tasks linked to the Ukraine crisis, but a second budgetary amendment reduced payment appropriations by EUR 12 million.
  5. Parliament calls on the Commission to address unclear arrangements for Schengen associated countries' contributions, which the Court found led to underpayments of around EUR 0,7 million (7%).
  6. Parliament commends the Agency's progress under Regulation (EU) 2021/2303, including the Consultative Forum, the Asylum reserve pool with 360 approved experts, the Fundamental Rights Officer and the Complaints Mechanism.
  7. Parliament notes human resources limits led the Agency to cluster member states for liaison officers and renews its call on the Commission to better reflect the Agency's operational needs in future establishment plans.
  8. Parliament commends the Agency's support during the Ukraine crisis, including operations in 14 member states, assistance with the Temporary Protection Directive, deployment to Moldova and support for resettling 2 585 persons.
  9. Parliament notes the Agency's gender distribution, including 9 men (69%) and 4 women (31%) in senior and middle management, and calls for gender balance in future recruitments and appointments.
  10. Parliament welcomes the Agency's anti-harassment policy and notes three harassment cases in 2022, two rejected and one under administrative inquiry, and calls for a training scheme on the matter.
  11. Parliament is concerned about the Agency's internal management given an OLAF investigation into management and staffing policies and another into lack of observance of human rights, and calls for full cooperation and reporting.
  12. Parliament notes irregular procurement for rented premises in Lesbos and Rome, including EUR 281 095 paid in 2022, and an IT purchase 44% more expensive than the pre-approved pricelist, amounting to EUR 49 224 considered irregular.

Who is affected

  • The European Union Agency for Asylum: receives discharge for 2022, has its accounts closed, and must act on Parliament's observations.
  • The Agency's Executive Director: is granted discharge and must cooperate with OLAF and report to the discharge authority.
  • The Commission: is called on to address Schengen associated countries' contribution arrangements and to better reflect the Agency's operational needs in establishment plans.
  • Schengen associated countries: their contributions to the Agency's budget were found to involve underpayments of around EUR 0,7 million (7%).
  • Asylum applicants and member states: the Agency is asked to continue supporting fair examination of asylum applications, especially for vulnerable groups.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 186 842 192: the Agency's final budget for the 2022 financial year.
  • 12,46%: increase in the Agency's 2022 budget compared to 2021.
  • EUR 6 million: total value of the IPA III Western Balkans contribution agreement signed in June 2022, with an implementation period of 47 months.
  • 96,23%: budget implementation rate of current year commitment appropriations in 2022.
  • 89,55%: current year payment appropriations execution rate in 2022.
  • 15%: cancellation rate of funds carried over from 2021 to 2022, against a target of less than 10%.
  • EUR 12 million in commitment appropriations and EUR 6 million in payment appropriations: additional subsidy requested by the Agency for Ukraine-related tasks.
  • EUR 281 095: irregular payments made in 2022 for rented premises in Lesbos and Rome.

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