91998E3999

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3999/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 January 1999)

Subject: Operation of Cedefop

Since the end of 1995, Cedefop has been operating in Greece. An ancillary unit has also been operating in Brussels.

Will the Commission say:

1. how many permanent officials work at the Centre in Thessaloniki and how many in the ancillary unit in Brussels, and

2. what the operating costs (pay, publications, maintenance of buildings etc.) are for the Centre in Thessaloniki and for the ancillary unit?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1999)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) has had an information office in Brussels since 1991. This Brussels office is also an important contact point with all the Community institutions and the Centre's partners at European level (e.g. social partners). The presence of an on-site expert allows the Centre to participate and be represented in a multitude of European-level activities.

1. The office in Brussels currently has three officials: one A5 (an expert responsible for representing the Centre and producing monographs on the vocational training systems of the Member States), one B1 and one C1. These three officials are rotated every three years and represent 3 % of the total staff (97) of the Centre (officials (27), temporary staff, auxiliaries, local staff and seconded national experts).

2. The annual cost of running the Brussels office is EUR 259 800. This breaks down as follows: salaries (EUR 246 800), premises, heating, electricity and water (EUR 3 000) and telephone, fax, etc. (EUR 10 000). The Centre's total annual budget for 1998 is in the order of EUR 13,3 million. This breaks down as follows: (a) personnel costs (EUR 6,5 million), (b) administration of buildings, infrastructure, etc. (EUR 1,4 million) and (c) operational costs of documentation, dissemination, projects, etc. (EUR 5,4 million).