Youth programmes supported by the Ministry of Education without effects in some cases; one third of beneficiaries violated the rules
Press Release – July 23, 2012
As the audit findings revealed, the Ministry of Education committed errors when supported some youth programmes. During the audited period 2009–2011, the Ministry set insufficient rules for the support. As a consequence, projects claiming ineligible expenditures were applied, for example the reconstruction project of the “Sádka central club” developed by the non-governmental organization AMAVET Praha. The building has become dilapidated and the Ministry provided CZK 5 million for the roof reconstruction and related demolition works. The costs of the building’s complete revitalisation are estimated at CZK 80 million. The SAO concluded that the provided support had been inefficient as it could not prevent the building’s further decay.
Another example of inefficiency is the support provided to the non-governmental organization SOVA Praha in the amount of CZK 1 million, which were provided for a country house reconstruction. Out of the amount, CZK 730 000 were provided on the basis of a decree issued by the budgetary council, which approved the transfer from the state budget heading General Treasury Administration. The audit revealed that the country house would be only used by children for four weeks a year, while during the rest of the year the house would be rented for profit.
The audit also revealed formal shortcomings at the programmes and found that the Ministry had kept incorrect records of provided funds in the Central Evidence (CEDR).
Auditors also aimed at beneficiaries. Out of 22 audited subjects, eight violated the budgetary discipline. Six beneficiaries did not observe the objections. For example, the non-governmental organization BEZ NUDY Teplice was provided CZK 500,000 to construct cooking premises at a camp in 2009. The provided funds were used not only for the planned construction but to build residence rooms and underground utilities too. Such unauthorized construction was in disagreement with the Act on Building.
For further details about the auditing operation No. 11/24 (in Czech only), see the following link: http://www.nku.cz/assets/media/informace-11-24.pdf (pdf 220 kB).
Communication Department
Supreme Audit Office