To ask the Minister for Communities what action her Department is taking to re-establish pre-pandemic numbers of face to face Personal Independence Payment appeal hearings.

My Department continues to adopt a gradual approach to face to face hearings in light of the changing response to the pandemic. This is to protect the health and safety of appellants, many of whom already suffer from compromised health and who may feel compelled to attend the physical hearing they opted for. My Department, in conjunction with colleagues in the Department of Justice continue to seek suitable venues to conduct appeal hearings.