Financial Mgmt.

1
Financial Mgmt. Control of The Structural Funds
ESFClare Dunne18th September, 2001
2
European Social Fund

• Primary focus investing in people
• the Fund shall support measures to develop
  human resources and social integration into the
  labour market
• the Fund shall mainly take the form of
  assistance to persons..

3
Key differences for ESF.

• Eligibility Regulation (EC) No 1685/2000
• Very general not ESF specific
• Most ESF audit problems in the last round centred
  around eligibility issues

4
ESF National Rules

• 2 Important documents
• ESF/PA/2-2001 ESF/PA/3-2001
• 1st Doc. sets out the ESF-specific national rules
  applying in Ireland
• 2nd Doc. seeks to assist in the preparation of
  ESF claims by setting out eligible expenditure
  items and claiming methodology.

5
For example.

• Dont build a creche with ESF(rent/lease
  instead)
• Dont buy a bus to bring children to
  childcare.(only depreciation is allowed)
• Dont install a security system with ESF
• ...use ESF for current expenditure only!

6
Finally.

• Read the ESF Regulation
• Read the ESF Eligibility Rules
• If in doubt, contact the Managing Authority, who
  may in turn seek advice from the ESF Paying
  Authority.

7
ESF Policy Operations