91999E0799

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0799/99

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Commission

(6 April 1999)

Subject: Refugee projects

On the initiative of Commissioner Gradin the Commission has decided for the second time running to grant financial support (EUR 16,75 million) for projects to assist refugees in the EU states. These projects include support for projects to improve the reception structures for asylum-seekers and displaced persons in the Member States (EUR 3,75 million), but also provide appropriations to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of refugees (EUR 13 million).

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Has Austria submitted any programmes for either phases of the project, and how many Austrian projects have been approved?

2. If so, what was the substance of such projects and what share of the funding was borne by the EU?

3. What were the criteria for the acceptance of the 76 projects? Which Member States received the allocations and what amount of money was allocated on which projects?

Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1999)

Austria submitted projects in both phases (1997 and 1998) under the programme to improve the infrastructure for the reception of asylum-seekers, refugees and displaced persons (B5-803) and the programme to facilitate the voluntary return of refugees, asylum-seekers and displaced persons (B7-6008).

The breakdown of approved projects is as follows:

- 1997:

- B5-803 - 3 projects:

- Volkshilfe Oberösterreich, Linz (two projects),

- International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Vienna.

- B7-6008 - 5 projects:

- Österreichisches Studienzentrum für Frieden und Konfliktforschung (ÖSFK), Stadtschlaning,

- Volkshilfe Österreich, Vienna,

- International Centre of Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Vienna (three projects).

- 1998:

- B5-803 - 2 projects:

- Österreichische Forschungsstiftung für Entwicklungshilfe, Vienna,

- Asyl in Not, Vienna.

- B7-6008 - 5 projects:

- Caritas Österreich, Vienna (also Salzburg and Graz),

- Verein Susret-Begegnung, Bregenz,

- Berufsförderungsinstitut, Vienna,

- International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Vienna (two projects).

Owing to the volume of detailed information on the projects referred to above, this has been sent direct to the Honourable Member and Parliament's Secretariat.