2022-09-08
Institutions are more responsible in implementing the recommendations of the public audit, according to the Report on the Implementation of the Recommendations published by the National Audit Office. Of the recommendations currently monitored, those with delays account for more than 50 %, but there is a positive trend in their implementation. Over the last period, the number of delayed recommendations decreased by 14 %.
In the last six months, progress in implementing 56 recommendations has been made in the areas of environment, social protection and employment, education, justice, transport, energy, public finances, health, and economic competitiveness. Most of the recommendations were implemented in the area of management of public assets and financial management.
“The Seimas Spring session adopted six laws supporting the implementation of our recommendations. Among the most significant are the changes to the Law on Employment, which will make it possible to increase the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the open labour market, will contribute to a more targeted and efficient provision of labour market services to jobseekers. The laws adopted will also have a positive impact on the organisation and quality of work of vocational training institutions and courts. Conditions will be created to compensate third parties and the environment for damage caused by companies handling hazardous waste", says the Auditor General Mindaugas Macijauskas.
Some areas of public sector activity have advanced in implementing the recommendations, but in view of the recent economic and social challenges facing the state, substantial changes are expected in the implementation of recommendations addressing the shadow economy, access to health services, and responsible budgetary governance.
The report notes that there are longer than two-year delays in the implementation of more than two-thirds of the delayed recommendations of high importance. Delays were identified in the development of a model of activity for the country-wide Data Analysis and Competence Centre of the State Tax Inspectorate. It should contribute to the reduction of the shadow economy; to get in order a system of planning and reporting for the achievement of the Government’s objectives and priorities, using state budget funds, which would reduce the amount of work that does not add value to public sector entities. There are also delays in amending the Law on Budget Structure, determining which and how many financial indicators must be approved by the Seimas, and what rights to be granted to the Government to implement the budget in order to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and other recommendations.
The National Audit Office, when carrying out audits, makes recommendations to the institutions and monitors planned actions for their implementation. A recommendation is considered to be implemented when the problems and inconsistencies identified by the audit are resolved and the planned change is achieved. The report on the state of the implementation of the most important recommendations is submitted to the Seimas twice a year. Information on the implementation of the recommendations of all audits carried out is open to the public on the website of the National Audit Office and can be found here.