The details were contained in the latest annual report, external by the standards commissioner Dr Melissa McCullough.
It is her last annual report before her five-year term as commissioner ends in September.
The commissioner said the “exceptional circumstances” of the Covid-19 pandemic and a two-year Stormont hiatus “made for an unusual five-year term”.
She added that “while I am very proud of what has been accomplished, I believe that in different conditions more could have been achieved”.
In her “final reflections” in the report, she said the ministerial code of conduct should be “updated, as it has not been revised since 1998”.
“This remains an urgent and unresolved matter,” she added.
Dr McCullough said the commissioner’s office needed more staffing resources “to do the work effectively”.
“Unfortunately, despite formal requests for such dedicated support, none has been provided,” she added.
Dr McCullough also said the terms of the commissioner’s employment should be reviewed, as benefits such as holiday pay and sick pay are currently not provided.
She said it “risks sending the wrong message” and could “deter experienced and capable individuals from putting themselves forward”.