Migal: Serious Flaws Discovered in Call for Digital Transformation Projects

Bratislava, 17 July (TASR) – The Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization (MIRRI) has cancelled a €50-million funding call for digital transformation projects under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, citing serious irregularities and flaws in the original design. Minister Samuel Migal (independent) said the decision was a response to risks posed by suspicious applicants and was made in the interest of transparency and accountability. Reacting to criticism from opposition MP Jan Hargas (Progressive Slovakia), who warned the funds could be lost, Migal defended the cancellation. „We discovered several questionable companies — some with no employees, others possibly shell companies, or firms with outstanding debts to the state. We cannot support a system where hundreds of thousands or even millions in grants might be diverted through the Recovery Plan,” he stated. Migal acknowledged that some high-quality projects may have been affected by the cancellation but stressed the ministry’s commitment to protecting public funds. He also lamented the lack of tools in Slovakia to properly vet applicants and pledged that all future calls under his leadership would be conducted transparently and in line with national rules. MIRRI Deputy Minister Radoslav Stefanek added that the decision to cancel the call was not taken lightly. He said the ministry is now working on alternative ways to allocate the funds effectively. „When it comes to digital projects, we must also consider long-term operational costs,” Stefanek noted. „Initial investments are just the beginning — maintenance and development usually rely on the state budget, which is currently strained. Every decision we make is with a view to sustainability five or ten years down the line,” he concluded. mf