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- Ελληνικά
Due to false impressions, which the publication of the content of the letter of AKEL Left MP Mr. Christos Christofides to the Auditor General of the Republic, in relation to the Independent Social Support Fund, I must clarify certain points regarding references to "violations of legislation in relation to the operation of this fund".
In accordance with the current legislation governing the Independent Social Support Fund ("the Fund"), to which reference is made in this letter:
(1) The financial statements of the Fund shall be prepared no later than 30 April of the immediately following financial year to which they relate and shall be audited by the Auditor General.
(2) The Commission shall forward for information to the Council of Ministers, through the Minister, a copy of the audited financial statements of the Entity.
[3] A copy of the audited financial statements of the Entity shall be deposited by the Minister with the House of Representatives and published in the Official Gazette.
I wish to clarify that the Entity sent the latest financial statements relating to the financial year 2023 for audit to the Auditor General of the Republic on 22/4/2024, within the time limit prescribed by law.
The letter of Mr. Christofides refers to financial statements of previous years, which are pending before the Auditor General. I wish to state that copies of these accounts, in audited form, will be deposited by the Minister of Finance with the House of Representatives and published in the Official Gazette of the Republic, upon completion of the financial audit and issuance of the audit opinion, in accordance with the law. It is clarified that the current legislation does not specify a deadline for the completion of the financial audit by the Auditor General.
Furthermore, according to the current legislation: 'The Minister shall submit to the House of Representatives every six months a list detailing all benefits approved and granted to persons entitled under this Law'.
In relation to the current academic year 2023-2024, the Institution has not approved and/or granted any benefit within the second semester of the year 2023, hence no list with a breakdown of benefits has been submitted to the House of Representatives. This fact has been brought to the attention of the Parliamentary Committee on Institutions, Securities and Administration Commissioner at its meeting on April 3, 2024. With regard to the relevant list covering the first half of 2024, it will be submitted by the Minister of Finance to the House of Representatives in due time after the end of the current half-year.
Finally, in full compliance with the current regulations governing the operation of the Management Committee and the Selection Criteria of the Entity, to which reference is also made in Mr. Christofides' letter, based on the current legislation Article 7.(5) "the Committee may prepare and update from time to time a general framework of criteria, which shall be made public through the official website of the Entity in order to enable the fulfilment of the purpose of the Entity", the Entity has established, published on website and applies criteria for the selection of persons eligible to receive financial support, based on the principles of objectivity, equal and fair treatment, and transparency.
On this occasion, I wish to reiterate that the Independent Social Support Body carries out its work with a commitment to transparency, meritocracy and accountability. Therefore, as we have assured in our recent presence in Parliament, we remain at the disposal of those who are interested to be informed about the activities and achievements of the body.
(PM/EAth/NYAN)
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