Combating poverty in Europe

17.9.2014

Question for written answer E-006972-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Hugues Bayet (S&D)

In 2014, the European Programme of Food Aid for the Most Deprived Persons (PEAD) was replaced by a new Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD).

The Commission has proposed that this new fund be used to support the work of bodies set up by the Member States to provide food to the most deprived, as well as clothing and other basic goods to the homeless and to materially-deprived children. Thanks to Parliament's intervention, it has been possible to increase the budget to EUR 3.8 billion for the 2014-2020 period.

1. Whereas the PEAD targeted a wider public which included all those who could be considered most deprived, the FEAD has a more limited sphere of action. In reality, the FEAD will only assist 4 million out of the 50 million Europeans living in ‘severe material deprivation’. What will the criteria be for receiving assistance?

2. Will this aid be assessed during the 2014-2020 period?