Regional and Local Government Authorities AOB Priorities 2009 2008 Regional planning, housing and development 608 631 Social welfare, youth welfare 504 418 Community affairs 393 370 Citizenship, voter register, traffic police 235 276 Regional finances, regional and local taxes 158 176 Regional and local roads 152 126 Health care system and veterinary sector 99 126 Education system, sports and cultural matters 92 73 Agriculture and forestry, hunting and fishing laws 52 53 Skilled trades and energy 49 49 33 39 36 37 45 35 2 1 2,458 2,410 Transport and traffic on regional and local roads (excl. traffic police) Nature conservation and environmental protection, waste management Directorate of regional affiars, civil service law and civil service compensation law for regional and municipal employees Science, research and the arts TOTAL Regional and local priorities 12 As was the case in the past years, there are clear thematic focal points in the investigative activities of the AOB at regional and local levels. At the top of the list are problems that citizens have in the area of regional planning and building law. In 2009, a total of 608 cases were brought to the attention of the responsible Ombudsperson Gertrude Brinek. The sectors of social welfare and youth welfare are also frequently a reason why people turn to the AOB. In comparison to the previous year, there was a massive increase in complaints in this sector, resulting in a total of 504 investigated cases for Ombudsperson Peter Kostelka. In practice there are frequently problems in connection with general local and/or municipal matters. In 2009, 393 persons contacted Ombudsperson Gertrude Brinek in this