National Preventive Mechanism The following graph provides a breakdown of criticisms according to individual issues which were observed by the commissions during their visits. It must be taken into account here that in almost all cases multiple areas were examined during each visit, and the criticisms thus relate to multiple topics. The most frequent reason for criticism were living conditions, including sanitary and hygiene standards, food and the offer of leisure activities. The proportion of criticism relating to medical care was almost as high. Inadequate staffing resources or human resources development programmes were also frequently perceived as deficiencies. Topics of criticism voiced by the commissions (share in %) 3.2.4 Budget In 2016, a budget of EUR 1,450,000 was available to remunerate the heads and members of the commissions, as well as the members of the Human Rights Advisory Council. Of this amount, around EUR 1,163,000 (2015: EUR 1,158,000) was budgeted for reimbursements and travel costs for the commission members alone and around EUR 87,000 (2015: EUR 91,000) for the Human Rights Advisory Council; around EUR 200,000 was available for workshops for the commissions and the AOB employees working in the OPCAT sector, as well as for other activities. It was therefore possible to avoid budget cuts, thanks in particular to the National Council as the federal legislative body in financial matters but also the Federal Ministry of Finance. Both of them emphasised the necessary financial independence for preventive activities and showed understanding for a sufficient budgetary allocation to the Austrian NPM. 88