Overview The AOB‘s monitoring activities relate to the entire public administration, including all authorities and offices whose role is to enforce federal laws. The AOB initiated a total of 5,110 investigative proceedings in federal administration. This corresponds to an increase of 13 % compared to last year. In contrast to previous years, complaints regarding internal security issues have now overtaken the social sector as the main reason for complaints. In his area of responsibility, Ombudsman Peter Fichtenbauer recorded 1,393 complaints which resulted in investigative proceedings. This is an increase of one quarter compared to last year. Approx. 27 % of all proceedings relate to this area. This development was already apparent in previous years. In 2012, every fourth complaint dealt with matters regarding internal security. This is due to the great increase in complaints relating to the law on asylum and the law regarding aliens. They were relevant not just to the Federal Ministry of the Interior but primarily to the Asylum Court (Asylgerichtshof). Complaints most frequently relate to internal security issues Complaints regarding social matters, which fall into the area of responsibility of Ombudsman Günther Kräuter, rank second. With 1,238 investigative proceedings initiated, a quarter of all proceedings relate to this particularly sensitive area. The number of complaints was nearly constant compared to last year (2012: 1,246). Primarily, complaints were triggered by assessments of the stage at which care and nursing allowance is paid and problems with pensions and unemployment benefits. Matters relating to persons with disabilities continue to rank high on the list of complaints. The existence of many people simply depends on the fact that social benefits are being granted. Complaints therefore must be clarified rapidly. Every fourth complaint concerns social matters A total of 935 investigative proceedings were initiated based on complaints about the administration of the judiciary. As a result, they fell into the area of responsibility of Ombudswoman Gertrude Brinek. This corresponds to a share of 18 % of all investigative proceedings. Complaints in this area went up by 38 % compared to last year. This was due to an increase in the number of individual complaints about the penal system - a result of the commissions’ activities as part of the AOB‘s new tasks as National Preventive Mechanism. The AOB‘s monitoring responsibility comprises administration of the judiciary, correctional institutions, the penal system and delays to court proceedings. Administration of the judiciary: Number of complaints up significantly 13