2008 key figures 1. 2008 key figures 1.1. In contact with the people People who would like to complain about public authorities or need information can easily contact the Austrian Ombudsman Board (AOB) in person, by phone or in writing at any time. Written correspondence with people seeking advice was particularly intensive in 2008: Around 7,900 letters arrived at Singerstrasse and nearly 6,300 persons sent emails. In total, the correspondence of the AOB with persons suspecting a case of maladministration amounted to a considerable 19,100 pieces of correspondence. Nearly 8,000 letters and e-mails were exchanged with authorities on a federal, provincial and municipal level. 7,900 letters and 6,300 e-mails The consultation days held throughout Austria are becoming more and more popular. In 2008, within the framework of a total of 231 consultation days (2007: 198) more than 1,500 consultation sessions took place in all the Austrian Bundesländer. In order to guarantee the right to sound administration everywhere, the members of the AOB visited penal institutions, police detention centres and federal army bases. Daily contact with the public was also very intensive in other respects: 7,140 persons contacted AOB employees with their concerns in person or by phone via the toll-free service number (0800/223 223). 231 consultation days Daily contact with the people • 231 consultation days with over 1,500 face-to-face meetings • 7,900 letters received by AOB • 6,300 persons contacted the AOB by e-mail • 19,100 pieces of correspondence were necessary to assist complainants • 7,140 persons reported their concerns in person or by phone to the information service • 8,000 letters and e-mails have been sent to public authorities in order to follow up on complaints from citizens • 175,000 persons obtained information at www.volksanwaltschaft.gv.at • An average of 320,000 persons watched the weekly TV show Bürgeranwalt which is produced in cooperation with the Austrian public broadcasting company ORF 32nd Report of the Austrian Ombudsman Board to the National Council and the Federal Council 2008 5