§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths and injuries there have been at level crossings, by type of crossing, in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years; whether there are any limits on the speed of trains at each such type of level crossing; and how many of the incidents in each year resulting in death and injury involved collision with road vehicles.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information requested is as follows:
vocational rehabilitation with both the structure and administration of social security in Northern Ireland; what action he is taking to improve co-ordination; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 13 June 1989]: The Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Economic Development have agreed 437W arrangements whereby people receiving social security benefits may participate in a rehabilitation programme and continue to receive benefit for a period of up to four weeks. If at the end of this initial period a person is considered suitable for full-time training, payment of benefit ceases and is replaced by a training allowance, payable at the rate of the previous benefit plus a premium of £10 a week. On completion of training, payment of benefit will resume if the normal conditions are still satisfied. The rules governing people's entitlement both during and after training will continue as at present.
The need for informal co-ordination between Departments in providing help for the disabled will be examined as part of the Government's consideration of the results of the current survey of the disabled in Northern Ireland.