In 2006, the number of complaints that the NIK received was below four thousand, while in 2010, it exceeded five thousand. Complaints provide the NIK with important information on irregularities in the functioning of the state and they can also be the basis for commencing audits. Last year, 180 complaints were used as the departure point for auditing, while other 165 were to be examined on later dates. Audits conducted on the basis of those complaints have disclosed irregularities whose financial impact is assessed at over PLN 336 million.
Last year, the biggest number of complaints (1,800) concerned the functioning of public administration bodies and offices. Citizens also frequently indicated misappropriations and cases of wasted public funds. Other complaints (45 percent) were related to the functioning of the judiciary, education, science and culture, housing, transportation and pensions.
The authors of complaints sent to the NIK are mainly ordinary citizens. Some critical remarks are also addressed by representatives of employers, housing communities and local authorities. Information on faulty mechanisms in the state functioning is also sent by MPs, Euro-Deputies and members of various associations.
Each complaint sent to the Supreme Audit Office is analysed carefully. If the NIK is unable to undertake auditing on its own, it notifies competent bodies thereof, such as the National Labour Inspectorate (PIP), the Trade Inspectorate or fiscal control offices. If a complaint cannot be concluded with an audit or does not provide sufficient basis for further proceedings, the sender of the complaint receives explanations that may assist them in talking the given problem on their own.
