Factsheet for measure
PL-2021-28/2049
–
Updated
– measures in Poland
Meticulous audits of anti-crisis shield
W przyszłym roku szczegółowe kontrole tarcz antykryzysowych
Background information
In July the Chair of the Supreme Audit Office (NIK), the national auditor, announced the Chamber was planning to launch a complex auditing campaign of the public aid granted under anti-crisis shields and financial shields by the Polish Development Fund (PFR)
Growing concerns about the state of public finances, especially in the context of increasing concealed public debt (driven by increasing public spending channelled outside of the state budget) are named a the key motivation for making such a move.
Content of measure
The Supreme Audit Office (NIK), being the national auditing body has the authority to control all public expenditure. As the Chair of the Supreme Audit Office (NIK) stresses that the critical stance of NIK does not concern the providing aid, as the pandemic has forced governments all over the world to take extraordinary actions. However, it should be directed at improving operations and the survival of companies in a difficult period. "We will be able to say more about the results of this aid only after carrying out proper inspections, which we have planned for next year" - the Chair of NIK says, as quoted by the
Bankier portal
.
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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16 June 2023
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In connection with the results of the audits 'Effects of selected state measures taken to mitigate the effects of the epidemic on the economy' and 'Establishment and functioning of temporary hospitals established in connection with the COVID-19 epidemic', the President of the Supreme Chamber of Control, Marian Banaś, on 16 June 2023 submitted to the Constitutional Tribunal two motions to examine the conformity with the Constitution of the provisions relating respectively to
I. the Government's support programmes for entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 epidemic
II. the COVID Special Act of 2 March 2020 and the provisions of its amendment of 31 March 2020.
The President of the NIK pointed out that the regulations governing the provision of state aid to entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 outbreak were inconsistent with the Law on the System of Development Institutions. The government entrusted Polski Fundusz Rozwoju SA with the implementation of three aid programmes. According to the Supreme Administrative Court, among others, this is a case of 'privatisation of public tasks', as the tasks of the public administration are carried out by a company outside its structure.
In the application submitted to the Constitutional Tribunal, the President of the Supreme Chamber of Control postulated the examination of the conformity with the Constitution of the provisions of the Act of 2 March 2020 on special solutions related to the prevention, control and eradication of COVID-19, other infectious diseases and crisis situations caused by them (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 2095, as amended) and the provisions of its amendment adopted on 31 March 2020.
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Use of measure
Not available.
Target groups
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Workers
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Businesses
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Citizens
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Does not apply to workers
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Other businesses
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Does not apply to citizens
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Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
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No special funding required
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Unknown
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Unknown
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Unknown
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Main level of involvement: N/A
Involvement
No involvement of social partners.
Views and reactions
No views recorded.
Sources
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09 July 2021: Next year, detailed audits of anti-crisis shields
(www.bankier.pl)
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16 June 2023: Referrals by the President of the NIK to the Constitutional Tribunal
(www.nik.gov.pl)
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28 September 2023: The effects of selected state measures taken to mitigate the effects of epidemics on the economy
(www.nik.gov.pl)
