Mark Drakeford AM, Minister for Health and Social Services has announced his decision on the future care and support arrangements for Independent Living Fund recipients in Wales. Following closure of the ILF on 30 June 2015, a grant scheme will be administered by local authorities, with conditions set by Welsh Government, to pay existing ILF recipients their current level of funding until the end of March 2017.
Mark Drakeford AM states ”I am fully aware of the ongoing anxiety and concerns experienced by current ILF recipients as a result of the announcement of the closure. The grant scheme I have announced will ensure that current levels of funding are maintained whilst keeping open the possibility of a permanent body to operate ILF in Wales, should conditions permit. In the mean time, this decision provides clarity to current ILF recipients in Wales that their current care and support pathways will be maintained, alleviating concerns expressed by ILF recipients and removing employment concerns raised by their carers.”
Officials will now liaise with local authority representatives and their organisations and stakeholders to work through the details of the grant scheme to ensure that it is in place by the end of June.
Kate Young, Director of All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers (AWF) is part of the Advisory group working with Welsh Government officials, along with Disability Wales, Dewis CIL, WLGA, ADSS and individual user representatives. AWF look forward to working with and engaging Welsh Government on the future of the Independent Living Fund scheme in Wales beyond March 2017.
The full ministerial statement from Mark Drakeford can be read on The Welsh Government website by clicking the link here.
