2008 key figures In 1,206 cases, though the complaints fell within the AOB's scope of responsibility, no maladminisration was determined from the outset. These cases concerned above all additional information and legal information. 1,093 cases related to issues beyond the scope of AOB's investigative duties. Here, too, the AOB tried to provide assistance in the form of information and advice. It established contacts with the competent authorities and outlined potential solutions for the affected parties. Advice and information in 2008 When the AOB concretely suspects a case of maladministration, it can initiative steps itself as the Federal Constitution provides the possibility of ex-officio review proceedings. In comparison to previous years the AOB made more use of this right in 2008, initiating 71 ex-officio review proceedings (2007: 61). Exofficio review proceedings related to the granting of visas by public authorities representing Austria abroad and the performance of youth welfare authorities. 71 ex-officio review proceedings As in previous years, there was an East-West divide with respect to complaints in 2008. For every 100,000 inhabitants, an average of 134 Vienna residents and 108 Burgenland residents came to the AOB with their concerns. In Salzburg, in contrast, there were only 72 persons and in Styria only 70. As the provincial parliaments of Tyrol and Vorarlberg appoint regional Ombudsmen, in these Bundesländer the AOB handles only complaints about the federal administration. East-West divide regarding complaints A clear trend emerges when one compares the number of cases in 2008 per Bundesland with those in 2007. In 8 of 9 Bundesländer, the number of complaints per 100,000 persons increased, the only exception being Vorarlberg. Particularly notable was the increase in Burgenland and Tyrol. Complaints per 100,000 inhabitants in the reporting period 140 120 134 100 108 92 80 78 60 72 70 66 40 43 41 20 0 Vienna Lower Austria Burgenland Kaernten Salzburg Styria Upper Austria Vorarlberg* Tyrol* * only in relation to the federal administration 10 32nd Report of the Austrian Ombudsman Board to the National Council and the Federal Council 2008