71 Amendments of Isabel BENJUMEA BENJUMEA related to 2021/2251(INI)
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
— having regard to the Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions of 1 December 2021 on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility5a, __________________ 5a OJ C 97, 28.2.2022, p. 21–25.
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 b (new)
Citation 9 b (new)
— having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 20 October 2021 on the Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 20215b, __________________ 5b ECO/556-EESC-2021.
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights that the cultural and creative sectors were among those hit first and the hardest by the pandemic and will be the last to recover; have serious difficulties in recovering from the restrictions they have suffered;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is an unprecedented one-off and limited in time instrument of solidarity and a cornerstone of the NextGenerationEU (NGEU) instrument, ending in 2026, as the main tool in the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to prepare the economies of the EU to face the new challenges; recalls that the EU response was comprehensive and timely, leading to extensive use of existing instruments and deploying additional financing instruments;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is an unprecedented instrument of solidarity and a cornerstone of the Next Generation EU (NGEU) instrument, ending in 2026, as the main tool in the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to prepare the economies of the EU to face the new challenges; helping European economies growth thanks to a more competitive economy and being the pillars of growth business, SMEs, private investment and, finally, the EU's strategic autonomy.
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the fact that even if the economic effects of the RRF cannot be fully disentangled from other developments, it seems fair to conclude that, so far, the RRF has had positive effects on gross domestic product (GDP) and that its effective implementation will be key for the EU’s economic growth; recognisesso far, the RRF has been an instrument that has created a lot of expectations to all stakeholders and institutions, deeper than what legislators had in mind and that its effective implementation will be key for the EU’s economic growth; it is contributing to readjusting national priorities and public knowledge of the effort carried out by the Union; we have confidence that on a medium term basis it can be recognized that the RRF has helped to cushion EU economies and citizens from the most acute impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and is positively contributing to the EU’s recovery and resilience;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the fact that even if the economic effects of the RRF cannot be fully disentangled from other developments, it seems fair to conclude that, so far, the RRF has had positive effects on gross domestic product (GDP) and that its the effective implementation of the RRF will be a key for the EU’s economic growthpositive impact on the EU GDP; recognises that the RRF has helped to cushion EU economies and citizens from the most acute impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and is positively contributing to the EU’sEU recovery and resiliencegrowth, including economic cohesion, jobs, productivity,competitiveness, research, development and innovation, and a well- functioning internal market with strong small and medium enterprises (SMEs);
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Believes that in order for the RRF to attain its objectives and support the EU to bounce back from the crisis, it is imperative that Member States implement thoroughly the agreed reforms and investments; reminds that the RRF is an incentive-based mechanism, whereby funding is disbursed upon completion of milestones and targets related to reforms;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Points out that a successful implementation of the RRF would lay down the foundations for long term competitive, strategically autonomous, sustainable, inclusive and resilient economies and societies;
Amendment 71 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls previous requests urging the Member States to dedicate at least 2 % of the budget of each national RRF plan to culture and 10 % to education; criticises the fact that these already misleading numbers have been achieved at an aggregated EU level only;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates the importance of the successful implementation by the Member States of national recovery and resilience plans (NRRPs) in order to ensure a long- term impact on the EU economy and society; recalls that the RRF is a performance-based mechanism, that should respond to growth objectives not just procedure milestones whereby funding is disbursed upon completion of milestones and targets related to measures; Recalls that for its success it is crucial the participation of local, regional and national institutions that are those responsible for developing those policies, as stated in Articles 18 and 28 of the RRF Regulation
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Is concerned about the low level of effective disbursement or take-up of RRF funds in some Member States; warns that the RRF will only mitigate the social and economic impact of the crisis if funds are effectively absorbed and spent, so that they reach the real economy; calls on Member States to take the appropriate decisions on organisational structure and resources and to implement legal reforms if necessary in orden to ensure the timely expenditure of RRF funds;
Amendment 85 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Strongly believes that for the correct implementation of the RRF a special focus should be given to micro and small organisations and companies, including in rural areas; the initial idea of the RRF is to help economic recovery and increase European,s Union resilience: SMEs and micro SMEs are a fundamental pillar in the education, cultural and creative sector, therefore , we request the European Commission to be vigilant that the funding received by Member States is directed towards that end. Recalls that the RRF should not help increase structural spending , discriminate public entreprises over private ones or in any sense influence future budget commitments but to increase competitiveness. Therefore, investment targeted at SMEs and micro SMEs in the cultural, education and creative sector must be a priority;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Emphasises that the packages of reforms and investments, particularly growth-enhancing ones under the RRF, should also generate EU added value taking into account the European Semester and Country Specific Recommendations, as well as the acquis communitaire, being as it is essential the coherent legislative and political development ; emphasises that the packages of reforms and investments under the RRF should also contribute to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Deplores the fact that women20 , children21 , young people, the elderlconsequences that European citizens have suffered and continue to be most impacted by the COVID-19 crisis; emphasizes the role that primary aind vulnerable groups have been the most impacted by the COVID-19 crisiustry has had in keeping the economy alive and the effort carried out by SME’S as to maintain the productive network in the amidst of epidemiological and regulatory uncertainty, and many times without the alleviation of Member States administration’s; recalls the need to ensure that the EU leaves no one behind, and that it tackles gender- specific socio-economic impacts on its path to recovery; __________________ 20 European Parliament, Directorate- General for Internal Policies, Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, COVID-19 and its economic impact on women and women’s poverty – Insights from 5 European Countries, May 2021. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/et udes/STUD/2021/693183/IPOL_STU(202 1)693183_EN.pdf 21 Eurochild, Growing up in lockdown: Europe’s children in the age of COVID-19, 17 November 2020. https://www.eurochild.org/resource/growin g-up-in-lockdown-europes-children-in-the- age-of-covid-19/
Amendment 115 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the need for sustainable structural reforms targeting education and the cultural and creative sectors, and in particular regarding social security in the latter; regrets that such reforms are planned in only a minority of Member States;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Is concerned, however, that only seven Member States have requested loans amounting to a total of EUR 166 billion out of the EUR 385.8 billion available for loans, leaving a considerable amount available should Member States require loans at a later stage; is preoccupied that the limited interest for the loan component may lead to lost opportunities and prevent the RRF from reaching its full potential; underlines that should Member States, whose NRRPs have been already approved, wish to request loans, it will require amending respective NRRP with the additional set of measures consisting of reforms and investments, without rolling back commitments in the plans already endorsed; encourages Member States to use full potential of the RRF; reminds that a Member State may request loan support at the time of the submission of a recovery and resilience plan or at a different moment in time until 31 August 2023;
Amendment 118 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Educational reforms must be based on achieving excellence in our students through the reinforcement of STEAM subjects, the study of the humanities, financial education or the improvement in the level of knowledge of other languages; to this end, evaluations of our educational systems and of each of their stages are very necessary, with special attention to primary education in order to detect any needs or weaknesses that may exist and solve them at an early age; all of this, respecting subsidiarity in education , freedom of education and choice by families;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Encourages those Member States that did not request loans to the full extent available, to do so and prioritise measures aiming at increasing their energy security and mitigating the economic effects of the crisis generated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the European Union.
Amendment 124 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Amendment 139 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission to commit to transparency and to examine the possibility of redirecting unused or saved RRF resourceevaluation of the process of implementing these funds; and its duty so that Member States implement them quickly and effectively, in compliance with the RRF Regulation; Recalls European,s Parliament role on the supervision and implementation of the RRF and European Commission,s obligation to inform and be transparent as a mens towards a greater end, bearing in mind its role as guardian of the treaties and regulations, taking an holistic approach in that and linking objectives, milestones, reforms and investments to the real and declared sprit of the norm as aforementioned: the Economic recovery of the European Union ; a demanding Commission in the evaluation of the implementation of each State, with a real control of expenditure and an impact assessment of reforms and investments. Recalls the importance of allocating funds to culture, education, youth, sports and media;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Insists that any amendment of the NRRPs shall fully comply with the provisions of the RRF Regulation and supports the Commission’s approach that the mere change of the political situation in Member States does not represent an objective reason for requesting an amendment of the NRRP; reminds Member States that requests for modifications of NRRPs, must comply with the timelines of the Regulation and will likely lead to delays in the implementation of the reforms and investments, will, subsequently, increase the risk of failing to meet agreed targets and milestones and, ultimately, incapacity of using of the entire RRF allocation or losing part of the funding;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Looks forward to more granular and disaggregated data allowing for a better understanding of the additionality impacts of the RRF; urges the Member States to provide detailed information to the Commission in order to ensure effective reporting of the impact of the RRF; , so that as guardian of the treaties should look out for the correct implementation of European Union norms and the Parliament as budgetary control organism, in order to ensure effective reporting of the impact of the RRF; Shows its concern over the difficulties encountered on its access to information received by the Commission and transmitted by the Member States; Parliament must have access to all documents and communications from the Commission to each Member State, both of its plans and their implementation, and of the evaluations made or received.
Amendment 155 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Urges the Commission and the Member States to extend the continuous involvement of stakeholders to the implementation and monitoring of the RRF plans, taking full account of Articles 18 and 28 of the RRF Regulation, which clearly state that regions , municipalities and civil society must be involved in the planning and implementation of these funds, something that is not being done in some states that are receiving funding.
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Believes that in order to demonstrate its added value, the RRF should focus on investments which could not be adequately financed through other funding instruments of the Union or would have difficulty in obtaining the adequate financing;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recalls that the RRF Regulation provides for the possibility to include in the NRRPs measures started from 1 February 2020 onwards and that some Member States have made use of this possibility rather extensively; believes that the entire concept of “retroactive reforms” and its extensive use is not in line with the spirit of the RRF objectives; urges the Commission to refrain from approving further “retroactive reforms”, particularly reforms which were already planned before the set up of the RRF and the emergence of the pandemic;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Regrets that among the initial payment requests, in some instances, some Member States make extensive use of the retroactivity clause, particularly as regards the reforms component; is of the opinion, that some of the reforms included in the first payment claims were already planned before the emergence of the pandemic and the set up of the RRF and thus should not receive funding from the instrument;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14 b. Reminds that the Facility is subject to the sound economic governance and calls on the Commission to apply the existing rules scrupulously;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the fact that 22 NRRPs have been approved and observes that as of early February 2022, one Member State had not yet put forward its NRRP; further notes that four NRRPs are pending assessment by the Commission; is concerned that some of the plans have been under assessment for a considerable time;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes the fact that the Commission’s assessments concluded that all approved NRRPs address all six pillars of the RRF and satisfactorily fulfil all assessment criteria as set out in RRF Regulation and represent a balanced package of reforms and investments; considers that Member States could have better aligned their NRRPs to the six RRF pillars and the requirements of the RRF Regulation; stresses that the fast approval of the NRRP without direct participation by regional and local authorities is hindering its implementation; it expects the European Commission to collaborate with Member States on the improvement of these deficiencies.
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Calls on the Commission to apply diligently the RRF rules when assessing the remaining plans; reminds the Commission that the RRF is subject to the Rule of Law conditionality regime and calls on refraining from approving NRRPs in case of concerns regarding the observance of rule of law and the sound financial management of EU funds, prevention, detection and fight against fraud, conflict of interests and corruption; furthermore, recalls that the observance of rule of law and the sound financial management of EU funds are to be evaluated continuously throughout the lifecycle of the RRF and that the Commission shall refrain to disburse funding and, where applicable, recover funds, in case such conditions are no longer fulfilled; reminds Member States that the failure to fully comply with the provisions of the Regulation and the subsequent delays in the approval of the NRRPs, seriously affect the capacity of local and regional authorities in adequately tackling the impact of the pandemic on their communities, businesses and citizens and can lead to a long term worsening of the local and regional economic situation;
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that the Commission estimates social spending in the NRRPs to account forMember States’ RRPs at around 20 % of the grants and loans requested; observes that thisose expenditure focuses on employment incentives for specific disadvantaged groups, reforms of employment protection legislation and labour contract regulation; regrets that social investment measures have been rather limited to social infrastructure and that only somsupport the Commission to build through the RRF a more resilient and inclusive labour market; is of the opinion, however, that social expenditure financed though the NRRPs contain measures for the development of proper care services and temporary support measures; supports the Commission’s aim, through the RRF, of building a more resilient and inclusive labour marketF must not replace nor become recurring budgetary expenditure and shall be strictly linked with the overall objectives of the RRF, namely to support the post-crisis economic recovery;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that the Commission estimates social spending in the NRRPs to account for around 20 % of the grants and loans requested; observes that this expenditure focuses on employment incentives for specific disadvantaged groups, reforms of employment protection legislation and labour contract regulation; shows concern about certain measures might develop into budgetary compromises on a medium term basis regrets that social investment measures have been rather limited to social infrastructure and that only some NRRPs contain measures for the development of proper care services and temporary support measures; considers that it will be necessary to acknowledge investments due to the illegal invasion of Ukraine and the accommodation of refugees, supports the Commission’s aim, through the RRF, of building a more resilient and inclusive labour market;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Observes that almost all approved RRPs contain investment in digital education, making up about 30% of the total spending on education; welcomes the focus on the modernisation of education systems in the Member States;
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. EStrongly emphasises that the RRF should not be used to substitute recurring national budgetary expenditure, unless duly justified; notes that the Commission has only approved NRRPs to cover the initial costs of setting up and launching reforms, which might become recurring costs, if the sustainable financing of the future costs shall be ensured from the national budget or other instruments and it fully respects the concept of sustainable fiscal policy; is deeply preoccupied by measures included in some NRRPs which foresee important amounts for salaries; believes that such expenditure has the clear potential to become recurring budgetary expenditure after the RRF implementation period; strongly questions the criteria on which the Commission has approved such measures; believes that RRF expenditure should not lead to an increase of public spending;
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Emphasises that the RRF should not be used to substitute recurring national budgetary expenditure, unless duly justified, and calls on the Commission to ensure compliance with this principle; is concerned that independent fiscal authorities in certain Member States have warned that some investments in NRRPs have a high risk of becoming a recurring expenditure in national budgets; notes that the Commission has only approved NRRPs to cover the initial costs of setting up and launching reforms;
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Believes that NRRPs would benefit from further cross-border projects in order to enhance spill-over effects and contribute to EU added value; believes that further cross-border measures should have been included in the NRRPs in order to enhance its spill-over effect and to boost its EU added value;
Amendment 279 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Observes that one Member State proposed to transfer structural funds to its NRRP, that only two Member States plan to provision their Invest EU envelopes with RRF funds and that only three Member States foresee incorporating the costs of technical support in their NRRPs; regrets that the provision to transfer RRF funds to the InvestEU national compartments has not been used to its full potential; recalls that synergies among different EU funds is essential for a proper recovery and consolidated resilience of the Union and reminds Member States that the use of this provision contributes to enhancing synergies;
Amendment 281 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29 b. Reminds that according to the RRF Regulation the recovery and resilience plans shall also be consistent with the information included by the Member States in the partnership agreements and operational programmes under Union funds; reiterates that this provision is not only important to avoid double-funding or overlapping of objectives, but also to ensure a coordinated approach and maximise the benefits of EU funding; requests the Commission to provide an analysis how this coordination is ensured; takes note that the adoption of the NRRPs has led in some instances to the delays in the adoption of Partnership Agreements and calls on these delays to be addressed;
Amendment 283 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)
Paragraph 29 c (new)
29 c. Questions how the Commission has encouraged Member States to foster synergies with NRRPs of other Member States;
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. NReminds that all RRPs have to contribute to effectively addressing all or a significant subset of challenges identified in the relevant country-specific recommendations including fiscal aspects; notes the Commission assessment that all NRRPs address at least a significant subset of challenges identified in the relevant European Semester recommendations but that not all challenges are addressedchallenges remain; deplores that some Member States are not sufficiently tackling some long-standing challenges, particularly as regards the fiscal sustainability or the reform of the labour and pensions systems as well as other structural reforms; strongly questions in this regard the positive evaluation of the Commission of some of the NRRPs which fail to propose serious structural reforms deplores that in some instances, NRRPs have been approved although the final design of important structural reforms had not been finalised by the Member States concerned, nor finally agreed with the Commission;
Amendment 293 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Reiterates the fact that not all CSRs are equally important and regrets the quantitative approach of the Commission when evaluating the NRRPs in relation to the fulfilment of challenges identified in the relevant CSRs, whereby important structural challenges have not been properly addressed
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30 b. Calls on the Commission to step up its evaluation of the fulfilment of CSRs in the NRRPs in the disbursement phase of the Facility and to refrain from making any payments if agreed milestones and targets related to challenges in the relevant CSRs are not adequately met, including not rolling back on previously met milestones and targets; furthermore calls on the Commission, if necessary, to make full use of the provisions of the Regulation, allowing it to recover grants or ask for early repayment of loans in case of breach of the obligations of Member States under the financing agreements, including in relation to the implementation of CSRs;
Amendment 296 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)
Paragraph 30 c (new)
30 c. Calls on the Members States to look for ways on how to involve refugees fleeing Ukraine to the European Union, following the military invasion of the Russian Federation, in the practical implementation of the NRRPs, therefore, helping to alleviate their socio-economic situation;
Amendment 297 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 d (new)
Paragraph 30 d (new)
30 d. Reiterates, in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its possible consequences, particularly as regards the dependence on Russian gas, the importance of EU's energy security; welcomes in this regard the NRRPs containing measures to enhance energy security by decreasing dependence on Russian gas; furthermore, underlines the importance of measures relating to the climate component in order to mitigate the impact of the energy prices crisis upon the EU;
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31 a. Urges the Commission and Member States to uphold the principles of transparency, equal treatment, open competition, and sound procedural management when launching public procurement for the implementation of investments; is firmly opposed to any type of misuse of powers or arbitrariness when allocating RRF funds;
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Observes, that by the nature of the instruments, the control focuses on the achievement of results instead of verifications of costs; notes that this approach can simplify the implementation and contribute to the achievement of the desired outcome; nevertheless, is deeply preoccupied that it also makes the detection of abuse of EU funds more difficult; Urges the Commission to take the appropriate measures to ensure early detection of abuse of EU funds; calls on it to monitor rigorously any possible occurrence of double funding and, if such occurrences are confirmed, to proceed with the recovery of funds without delay;
Amendment 324 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. Reminds the Commission that in the evaluation of NRRPs and payment claims it can be assisted by experts and invites to make full use of this provision, particularly if it lacks the in-house capacity to thoroughly scrutinise the plans or the fulfilment of milestones and targets; is concerned that the Council does not have sufficient capacity to analyse NRRPs or payment claims and warns against transforming this evaluation into a mere box-ticking exercise;
Amendment 330 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 b (new)
Paragraph 33 b (new)
33 b. Calls on the Commission to ensure that adequate control capacities are in place and that the Commission, OLAF, the Court of Auditors and where applicable the EPPO are granted full access by Member States to information to exert their rights according to the Financial Regulation and the RRF Regulation;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 c (new)
Paragraph 33 c (new)
33 c. Calls on the Court of Auditors, OLAF and EPPO to make full use of their role under the RRF Regulation and scrutinise thoroughly all RRF spending, in order to prevent, detect, correct and investigate fraud, corruption, conflict of interests and where applicable to impose administrative penalties, as well as to avoid double funding;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 d (new)
Paragraph 33 d (new)
33 d. Reiterates the importance of the Commission undertaking a continuous, including ex-post, monitoring of the RRF expenditure; believes that full transparency is needed from the Member States, including as regards implementation and management data, in order to analyse the results of the RRF and identify possible weaknesses;
Amendment 336 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 e (new)
Paragraph 33 e (new)
33 e. Reminds that in the framework of the discharge procedure to the Commission, in accordance with Article 319 TFEU, the Facility shall be subject to reporting under the integrated financial and accountability reporting referred to in Article 247 of the Financial Regulation, and, in particular, separately in the Annual Management and Performance Report.
Amendment 337 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 f (new)
Paragraph 33 f (new)
33 f. Calls on all Member States to collect and record data on final recipients and beneficiaries of Union funding in an electronic standardised and interoperable format and to use the single data mining tool provided by the Commission; furthermore, reiterates the importance of digitalising all reporting, monitoring and audit;
Amendment 340 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Reaffirms Parliament’s role in scrutinising the implementation of the RRF, in particular through five plenary debates held in 2021, two adopted resolutions, four Recovery and Resilience Dialogues held with the Commission in 2021, 20 meetings of the dedicated working group on the scrutiny of the RRF, parliamentary questions, and the regular flow of information and ad hoc requests for information from the Commission; remains committed in ensuring that it will make full use of the entire range of possibilities offered by the Regulation to scrutinise RRF spending, including via local actions in the Member States.
Amendment 345 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34 a. Invites the Commission to follow an open, transparent and constructive approach during the recovery and resilience dialogues and to observe the provision of Article 26(1)as regards regular interactions with the Parliament; calls to set up a schedule of the recovery and resilience dialogues for the rest of the year, instead of ad-hoc solutions.
Amendment 346 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34 a. Reminds that implementation of the RRF and of NRRPs' measures shall respect all relevant laws, including the principle of subsidiarity, respect to regional and local self-government and the right to good administration under EU Law;
Amendment 350 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 b (new)
Paragraph 34 b (new)
34 b. Deplores that national parliaments, regions and municipalities have had a limited or even no involvement in designing national plans; recalls that regions and municipalities are at the forefront of RRP implementation and demands the Commission and the Member States to ensure proper and deep involvement of regions and municipalities, social partners, civil society, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders;
Amendment 351 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 b (new)
Paragraph 34 b (new)
34 b. Is concerned about the insufficient clarity in many Member States on the NRRPs governance systems and the distribution of responsibilities for their implementation between the central, regional and local levels;
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 c (new)
Paragraph 34 c (new)
34 c. Reiterates that the RRF is not a political instrument, but an unprecedented instrument to support citizens and businesses, and calls on the Commission to ensure that Member States do not allocate funding based on political criteria; calls on the Commission to ensure that calls for proposals for RRF funding at national level are competitive and allow for a level playing field as regards the access for regions and municipalities; warns against “tailored- made” calls for proposals at national level whereby criteria are specifically designed for one competitor; calls on the Commission and other institutions involved in the control system to investigate such cases and take all required measures;
Amendment 353 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 c (new)
Paragraph 34 c (new)
34 c. Reiterates its regret at the fact that many Member States have not or only inadequately involved local and regional authorities (LRAs) in the preparation process of NRRPs, and that the extent to which their input has been incorporated in most cases cannot be ascertained; calls on Member States to ensure the involvement of LRAs in the implementation of the RRF to the maximum extent possible under the national legislation and urges the Commission to present guidance to that end; recalls that LRAs are different to other stakeholders because they are at the forefront of implementing EU law;
Amendment 356 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 d (new)
Paragraph 34 d (new)
34 d. Calls on Member States to ensure that management systems of RRF funds takes into consideration the specific needs of the regional and local level and to put in place management systems that allow for RRF expenditure related to local and regional objectives to be de-centralised;
Amendment 357 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 e (new)
Paragraph 34 e (new)
34 e. Reiterates the importance of allowing access to private sector to RRF expenditure, where applicable; recalls the importance of SMEs in the implementation of the RRF and warns against measures which would prevent SMEs from accessing RRF funding; invites the Commission to provide detailed analyses on the access of the private sector to RRF funding;
Amendment 359 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 f (new)
Paragraph 34 f (new)
34 f. Reminds that according to the RRF regulation the Commission shall implement information and communication actions relating to the Facility, to actions taken pursuant to the Facility and to the results obtained; and that the Commission shall where appropriate inform the representation offices of the European Parliament of its actions and involve them in those actions;
Amendment 361 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Welcomes the launch in December 2021 of the recovery and resilience scoreboard, which will allow every citizen to monitor the implementation of the RRF; regrets, however, that the scoreboard does not reflect the extent to which Member States are effectively channelling funds to finance their projects and executing amounts;
Amendment 366 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35 a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to periodically assess and publish the level of effective disbursement of RFF funds; expects the review report on the implementation of the RRF prepared by the Commission to provide extensive data and analysis on the level of effective spending and absorption, the disbursement of funds to the various implementing bodies (such as LRAs) and the possible existence of bottlenecks in national public administrations that prevent the adequate implementation of NRRPs;
Amendment 368 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 b (new)
Paragraph 35 b (new)
35 b. Points out that national public administrations face a considerable challenge in absorbing all RRF funding in such a short space of time; urges the European Commission to actively support Member States that have experienced problems absorbing EU funds in addressing this issue, so that RRF funds are successfully disbursed across the Union;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 c (new)
Paragraph 35 c (new)
35 c. Welcomes the initiative of the European Ombudsman of preparing 'Good Practice Principles for governing transparency in the use of recovery funds';
Amendment 381 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Calls on the Commission to fully take into account Parliament’s views in the upcoming review report on the implementation of the RRF, which the Commission shall present to Parliament and the Council by 31 July 2022; calls on the Commission to also take into account the input of LRAs when drafting said report;
Amendment 384 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37 a. Points out that LRAs have, in many cases, statutory powers and competences in policy areas that are key for the RRF; stresses that involving LRAs in the RRF is essential for the effectiveness of its implementation, as they play a key role in the design and implementation of many policies and investments; calls for a more active involvement of LRAs and a broader ownership of these authorities in the implementation of the NRRPs;
Amendment 385 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 b (new)
Paragraph 37 b (new)
37 b. Calls on Member States to clearly define the role of LRAs in the implementation, further planning and evaluation of NRRPs in the agreements concluded with the European Commission on operational arrangements and the individual legal commitments on financial contributions, in accordance with their national constitutional provisions and distribution of powers; requests that Member States include in their reports on the implementation of the RRF a section on the involvement of LRAs;
Amendment 390 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the European Committee of the Regions and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.