On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023, Section IX - European Data Protection Supervisor

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following into its motion for a resolution:

1. Notes that the 2023 operating budget of the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) amounted to EUR 22 711 559 and compared to the 2022 final budget, the operating budget increased by 12 %; welcomes that, in 2023, the implementation rate of the commitment appropriations by the EDPS was 96 %;

2. Notes the increased number of legislative consultations by the EDPS, resulting in 82 formal legislative consultations, 54 opinions and 26 formal comments; appreciates the contribution of the EDPS to legislative work, including in cooperation with the European Data Protection Board; notes the increased role of the EDPS in multiple new legislative acts, including the Artificial Intelligence Act, under which EDPS becomes the competent authority for the Union institutions, agencies, offices and bodies, where the EDPS has been delegated further tasks; emphasizes that these additional responsibilities, delegated by the co-legislators, require adequate resources to ensure the EDPS can effectively fulfil its obligations;

3. Emphasises the role of the EDPS in supervising the processing of personal data by Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies; notes with concern the length of proceedings before the EDPS, as the EDPS did not close a single investigation in 2023, but in comparison to the previous year, in 2023, the number of notifications beyond the 72 hours significantly decreased;

4. Welcomes the EDPS's focus on ensuring that external contractors meet the standards expected of all Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, particularly in light of the previous use of external companies by EDPS that, according to Yale University's ranking, continue to operate in Russia; appreciates that EDPS uses key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor its performance in light of the main objectives set out in the EDPS Strategy, which contributes to ensure adaptability to activities where needed and to increase the effective use or resources;

5. Expresses concern about the significant increase in EDPS staff mission costs, from EUR 28 789 in 2021 and EUR 176 903 in 2022, to EUR 284 580 in 2023; calls on the EDPS to assess whether the resources spent on missions are being used appropriately and effectively; notes that the EDPS ceased making public the number of missions funded by organisers, as well as information on which unit or sector participated in each mission, thus reducing transparency regarding mission expenses; calls on the EDPS to reinstate this practice.