Integration for public money
In January 2025, during Adam Bodnar's term, the Ministry of Justice organised an inclusive event for workers and their families. According to Rzeczpospolita, the program includes dance shows, karaoke, VR goggles, children's art classes, a swimming pool with balls, masks workshops and carnival decorations. The event took place on 18 January.
The organization of the event called “Carnaval dizziness” cost PLN 163,6 thousand. The NIK auditors assessed that the expenditure was not intended, including the choice of a prestigious location. The event took place in the building of The Tides on the Vistula River, which importantly affected its cost.
According to NIK, recreational and cultural events should be financed from an establishment social benefit fund, not from the Ministry's budget, which is intended to carry out the statutory tasks of the office. The auditors besides considered that the event was not related to the ministry's activities either, and in addition, part of the expenditure afraid non-ministerial staff.
NIK besides pointed out that the “Carnaval dizziness” event had no connection with the statutory activities of the ministry and a crucial part of the expenditure was incurred for persons outside the office. The event was attended by 564 people, of which about 150 were employees of the resort.
The Ministry is explaining itself.
The hotel explains that the participants included co-workers, those seconded to the Ministry and members of their families. In consequence to questions addressed by the ‘Rzeczpospolita’, the Ministry explained:
The decision of the Ministry's management in the future will not be straight financed by the State Treasury budget, but from another applicable sources, including, in particular, the organization Social Benefits Fund.
The Ministry of Justice besides argued that the organisation of specified events is part of a modern approach to public administration management.
