On December 27, payments from the Justice Fund were halted as part of a broader audit. From that moment forward, every disbursement will undergo a substantive review before execution and will not proceed without explicit individual consent, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Justice to PAP on Monday.
The Ministry of Justice, through its Office for Communications and Promotion, announced that the suspension of funds began on December 27. It emphasized that henceforth no payment will be released without a thorough analysis and direct individual approval. The ministry also noted that a detailed audit of the Fund is underway.
The stated aim of the audit is to verify that each subsidy aligns with the Fund’s designated responsibilities and adheres to the principles established by the Public Finance Act, such as transparency, efficiency, and results-oriented management. The Justice Fund is described as a dedicated instrument that should finance only clearly specified state tasks.
– as disclosed in the announcement.
The first phase of the audit will focus on payments scheduled for January 2024. The ministry pledged to move quickly on payments that do not require doubt or dispute, while ensuring proper evaluation takes place.
Additionally, the ministry is forming a specialized group of experts to oversee the Justice Fund, with the aim of setting the future operational rules for the fund.
The announcement notes that the control applies to payments connected with contracts for victim support, post-penitentiary assistance, and crime prevention efforts, whether those contracts were awarded through competitive or non-competitive processes.
In total, 112 entities are affected, with payments totaling PLN 79,770,098.59 slated for January. Besides subsidies, payments for promotional activities have also been paused, the statement indicated. It stressed that suspending payments does not equate to terminating contracts.
However, contracts will undergo careful review, the ministry added.
Whose payments have been suspended?
The announcement identified the entities impacted by the suspension of payments, listing several foundations and associations that would otherwise receive funding this year and in future years.
The Lux Veritatis Foundation is slated to receive PLN 2,308,800 this year, with a total obligation of PLN 7,178,028 to be paid by the end of 2026.
The Fidei Defensor Association is set to receive PLN 1,477,333 this year, and a total of PLN 2,954,666 must be paid by the end of 2025.
The Institute for Sovereignty and Heritage in Europe Foundation is expected to receive PLN 544,200 this year, with PLN 1,088,400 due in 2025.
The Profeto.pl Foundation Sacred Heart Secretariat for the New Evangelization is scheduled to receive PLN 29,777,090 this year, and a total of PLN 37,306,091 is due by the end of 2026.
The St. Benedykta Foundation will obtain PLN 1,261,334 this year, with PLN 3,757,334 owing by the end of 2026.
gah/PAP
Note: the report details the affected entities and the expected payment schedules for the year ahead, underscoring ongoing scrutiny of fund allocations.