Vetting and approval of subsidies need to be continuously optimised
Release:2023/12/19
In 2023, a complainant reflected to the CCAC, claiming that after a school had received the subsidies under the “Science Popularisation Funding Scheme for Schools” issued by the Science and Technology Development Fund, it failed to disburse the subsidies to the instructors who provided training after a protracted period of time by reason of the need to wait for the vetting, approval and endorsement of the final report by the Science and Technology Development Fund. Therefore, the complainant criticised the Science and Technology Development Fund for its slow efficiency in processing the vetting and approval of the relevant final report.
Upon investigation, the Science and Technology Development Fund would, prior to the launch of the activities subsidised by the “Science Popularisation Funding Scheme for Schools”, issue subsidies to the schools in advance in order for them to launch the activities, and the requirement that relevant subsidies could only be issued to the instructors after the phase of review of the final settlement does not exist. Moreover, the CCAC found out that the progress of completion of the vetting and approval of the subsidised projects under the scheme in the same year was different. The reasons could be summarised as adjustment of functions of the department, inadequate experience of some personnel responsible for the vetting and approval procedures, influence by the epidemic, etc.
After intervention by the CCAC, the Science and Technology Development Fund further reviewed the optimisation measures of the work arrangement concerning the “Science Popularisation Funding Scheme for Schools” and followed up the situation of subsidy payment to the instructors. It also took measures to clarify to dozens of schools in Macao concerning the purposes and legislative intent of the subsidies with a view to facilitating them to follow up the payment of subsidies to the instructors and ensuring the authenticity of payment documents, among others. In addition, it looked into the vetting and approval procedures, adjusted the distribution of work among its personnel and strengthen the training once again in order to enhance relevant work efficiency.
