National Preventive Mechanism Monitoring statistics 2014 Total criticisms no critisisms still pending 272 110 46 1.3 Budget In 2014, 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. This also included travel expenses, as well as compensation for preparing for and following up on visits. On top of this, additional expenses resulting from the OPCAT implementation are covered by this budget, such as cooperation with the SPT, annual reporting, training, participation in evaluation proceedings with respect to the enactment of legislation and the special duty of informing the general public and cooperating with the scientific community and academia. Also a comprehensive database was set up and is constantly maintained with the view of facilitating the sharing of information and knowledge among the commissions and the AOB. As far as cost accounting is concerned, the NPM is a separate cost unit dedicated exclusively to NPM activities. The use of resources allocated to the work of the NPM is determined by the members of the AOB in consultation with the six commissions. As a consequence, full financial independence and operational autonomy of the NPM is guaranteed by this transparent process. In its discussions with Parliament, the NPM always advocates the continuation of its intensive monitoring activities despite general budget cuts. The number of visits and concomitant monitoring by the commissions should be ensured in future years, both with regard to quality and quantity. 1.4 Human resources 1.4.1 Personnel Additional permanent positions granted 66 In order to implement the OPCAT mandate, the AOB has received 15 additional permanent positions in order to fulfil these new responsibilities. One permanent position was then eliminated due to budgetary constraints; leaving a total of 14 additional permanent positions. Employees were deployed for the following responsibilities: six jurists, five (originally six) employees in administration, two persons in the OPCAT secretariat and one person for public relations work.