AQW 2807/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 27/02/2020
Answered On Date: 24/06/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to outline the accessibility audit used by the Appeals Service to measure the appropriateness of venues it uses to hear benefit appeals; and whether the accessibility audit will be revised to add consideration for the impact such venues have on appellants with mental ill health, learning disabilities and limited mobility.

Answer:

Appeals are heard in public and privately owned venues based on the facilities available in each area.

Before any venue is confirmed as suitable for an appeal tribunal hearing the location and facilities are assessed based on a number of criteria, including accessibility/DDA compliance, parking, privacy, lighting, ventilation, heating and other criteria which consider the needs of the parties involved in the hearings.

A review of the criteria upon which venues are assessed has commenced and this will include any additional considerations which should be taken into account as part of the process.