Lithuania will have to repay at least a million euros: Prime Minister promises changes

When the Russians invaded Ukraine, Lithuania adopted nearly 100 thousand. Ukrainian war refugees. Not only did he provide housing, food, but also taught to speak Lithuanian, to find a job. The European Union also allocated money for this.

The National Audit Office has now announced that the support of Ukrainian refugees was also given to the nationals of Russia, Belarus and other countries.

The support was distributed by the European Social Fund Agency.

« The National Audit Office, when reviewing the documents, has found a mistake. We agree that this is a document treatment error, » said Audronė Ališauskienė, interim head of the European Social Fund Agency.

Out of 17 million. improperly distributed a million euros. The money for Ukrainians received several hundred Russian, Byelorussian and other citizens. Pay their language courses and assistance in employment.

« Over 400 people, which is made up of 4 % if taken from the entire target group project, » said A. Ališauskienė.

LNK stop shot.

The interim head of the agency disagrees with the reproach of the Prime Minister, the Minister and the National Audit Office that their agency was mistaken.

According to the agency, who to give money is given by the description. When Brussels provided support, the description stated that money was only for the Ukrainians. But later Lithuania changed the description. This is where it was possible to give support not only to the Ukrainians.

« This could be commented on by the Ministry of Social Security and Labor, which are the organizers of the documents, » the European Social Fund Agency’s interim head.

The Ministry of Social Security and Labor was then headed by Conservative Monika Navickienė.

The prime minister says there will be consequences for the agency.

« Such poor institutional European support administration skills deserve the right attention, » said Gintautas Paluckas.

The agency starts an inspection. It is not yet finished, but the prime minister and the minister are talking about the elimination of the agency.

« The fund, the administration that administrated will be reorganized, » the Prime Minister emphasized.

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Lithuania will have to return to Brussels at least a million euros.

A mistake for a million, but does not intend to find guilty. It is planned to destroy the institution, although the support was not distributed by the building or tables with chairs. Each decision is made by a particular employee.

« This is just one episode from a wider circle, when the administration of support is of low quality and has to be or will have to return the funds to the European Commission, » Paluck emphasized.

The National Audit Office will propose to the managers’ responsibility.

« When the annual evaluation of leaders is made to make one of the criteria – how the institution follows the recommendations of the National Audit Office, » said Irena Segaloviciene, the Auditor General.

Errors were made 2-3 years ago, but were only found now. According to the National Audit Office, it shows another defect that there is no control in the institutions themselves, or perhaps even worse, mistakes are hidden?

« When the National Audit Office comes – here is called second level supervision. Control must be carried out by both ministries and agents, » explained I. Segalovičienė.

The Prosecutor General’s Office opened a broader investigation. Will explain whether as much as $ 235 million has been used properly. European Union support.