Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP, is worried that people with learning disabilities on Orkney may have their choices restricted if the local Council is unable to provide access to ‘direct payments’ for new applicants.

Direct payments allow people with learning disabilities to choose and pay for the care they receive rather than have the local authority provide that care.

Direct Payments were very much seen as the future, offering disabled people more independence and the possibility of withdrawal, even by one Council area is a worrying development.

These payments were made a statutory duty in the 2002 Community Care Act and therefore the Council is legally required to make them.

The Labour Party were carrying out research into direct payments when it emerged that Orkney Council had indicated it was honouring existing payments but could not afford to pay for new applicants.

Mrs Grant wrote to Orkney Council to clarify their position in relation to the payments.

Mrs Grant commented, "There are serious questions here about why Orkney Council is in a position where it cannot afford to make these statutory payments to this very vulnerable group.

"In the past this money was ring fenced, however, with the SNP Historic Concordat this money now forms part of the overall financial settlement received by the Council.

"I asked Orkney Council to advise me on their current policy in relation to direct payments and if possible to offer assurances on the status of future applications.

"In their response the council confirmed they had 29 people in receipt of Direct Payments and that they do not intend to withdraw these payments.

"They also told me that the Orkney Islands Council is working with the Scottish Government to try to find money within their budget to allow them to continue to process new applications for Direct Payments. "

Mrs Grant also tabled a Parliamentary Question to ask the Minister responsible what the effect of any withdrawal of direct payments will be in Orkney.

Mrs Grant added, "I received a Ministerial response to my parliamentary question which confirmed that Orkney Islands Council has made clear that there is no intention to withdraw existing direct payments.

"The response went on to say that the waiting list for direct payments is regularly reviewed.

"New applications are then progressed as additional resources become available and those on the waiting list offered social care services.

"Orkney at present has the highest rate of clients per 10,000 population receiving direct payments and the Minister confirmed that Orkney Islands Council is looking at the situation to try and resolve the new payments issue.

"It is important that this issue is effectively resolved and direct payments made available immediately the need is identified.

"If due to funding cuts the Council is unable to do this then the Scottish Government must ensure that the funding is found to ensure that people in Orkney receive this lifeline support."