Further question on child poverty (E-008731/2014, E-009686/2014 and E-009654/2014)

30.4.2015

Question for written answer E-007112-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Maite Pagazaurtundúa Ruiz (ALDE)

In answer to my Written Questions E-008731/2014, E-009686/2014 and E-009654/2014, Ms Thysen said that the Commission is monitoring Member States' efforts to lift 20 million people out of poverty, and that it puts forward country-specific recommendations (such as investing in child benefits, which, in Spain, amount to no more than EUR 291 a year and are received by only 10% of households). In 2013 and 2014, the Council recommended that Spain improve the targeting of family support schemes and quality services for low-income households with children.

Ms Thysen also said that the Commission works closely with Member States to ensure that the European Structural and Investment Funds are used efficiently and effectively to improve the social inclusion of families and children. Some 20% of the European Social Fund and the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived is earmarked for this.

Following the assessments of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Inclusion, would the Commission say that Spain is taking appropriate measures to ‘ensure the progressivity and effectiveness of social transfers’?

Could the Commission clarify how much funding is available from the aforementioned funds, and what proportion is earmarked for Spain?

Does the Commission know what the funding is going to be used for?