12. Annual report
To ensure accountability, the Commissioner is required to report back annually to the appointing authority, that is to the First Minister and the deputy First Minister, on how he/she is carrying out the role of Commissioner and on the use of the financial resources at his/her disposal. This report should contain details of the steps taken by the Commissioner that year to comply with his or her duties, to make older people aware of his/her functions, the location of the office and how older people can communicate with the Commissioner. OFMDFM is required to lay a copy of the annual report before the Assembly and to send a copy of the annual report to the Secretary of State for NI.