Roma employment scheme to continue after audit, says ministry

Budapest, April 2 (MTI) – An audit of the Roma “Bridge” employment scheme has revealed irregularities but there is nothing to stop it from continuing, the ministry for human resources said on Thursday.

The ministry said in a statement that the audit of the National Roma Council (ORO) scheme covered 150 items, including 12 public procurements. Irregularities were suspected in two cases, one involving furniture purchases and another involving the use of vehicles. The minister has launched proceedings in both cases but the transfer of payments can go ahead.

The minister told the project’s organisers to improve efficiency and transparency and proposed setting up a supervisory body and a system for regional coordination.

The Tax Office investigation body has informed the ministry there is no need to start an investigation into budget fraud.

The ministry has informed ORO that Florian Farkas, a government commissioner, has identified work opportunities for around 1,000 Roma people in various employment schemes. The minister asked ORO and Farkas to inform the public by April 30 about the projected number of people to be employed, the statement added.

In February, the opposition LMP and Democratic Coalition (DK) parties turned to the European Union’s anti-fraud office (OLAF) over a case of suspected corruption involving an EU tender won by the National Roma Self-government (ORO). Peter Niedermuller, DK’s deputy leader, noted that press reports suggested “serious corruption” in connection with the organisation run by Farkas, who is a Fidesz MP.

In a statement at the end of January, the ORO rejected accusations of graft concerning the 300 million forint jobs scheme for the Roma.

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters