"It is still possible to make full use of Structural Funds assistance, which was allocated by the European Union to Lithuania in 2004-2006," said Auditor General Rasa Budbergytė presenting the summary report on the Management of European Union Financial Assistance in 2004-2008 drawn up by the NAO. By the beginning of 2009, 94 per cent of all the projects financed from the EU Structural Funds were completed. European Commission has extended the eligibility period until the end of June. However, in the opinion of Ms Budbergytė, it is essential to take certain measures as soon as possible in order to avoid repeated mistakes, which hindered the efficient use of assistance, in the future. It is extremely importance, since in 2007-2013 Lithuania is allocated still larger EU structural assistance: over LTL 23 billion. Read more

“Lithuanian Labour Market Training Authority used over LTL 753000 insufficiently economically, and the management of the public assets in them is not sound,“ stated Auditor General Rasa Budbergytė after the financial audit in the Lithuanian Labour Market Training Authority under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour.

In 2007, the Authority purchased reconstruction works of administrative building in the tender, the value of which was LTL 7 million. The NAO detected that the purchase of additional reconstruction works, not evisaged in the main contract was performed not following provisions of the Law on Public Procurement. Furthermore, some part of additional reconstruction works, the same as planned in the original contract were purchased for higher price by the Authority. The NAO evaluated that LTL 753000 paid for additional works were used uneconomically. Read more

"In the current situation with the increasing lack of funds it is essential to rationalize the provision of assistance to farmers," - said Rasa Budbergytė, head of the National Audit Office summing up the NAO audit report. "Maximum support should be provided to those farmers who modernize their farms, acquire new machinery and perform duties stipulated in the legislation. If these compensations are reduced, the risk will arise that the planned works will not be implemented, and as a consequence the agriculture will suffer losses". However, Ms Budbergytė added that some of the assistance funds may be saved and allocated to those areas where there is a shortage of funds. Read more

On 12-14 May the Auditor General Ms Rasa Budbergytė will pay a reciprocal visit to the Swedish National Audit Office. During the visit the Auditor General will be accompanied by Director of International Relations Department Ms Dainora Venckevičienė. The meeting will focus on international and bilateral co-operation, as well as on sharing information on guidance to performance audit, outcomes of communication strategies and public procurement issues.