THERE'S a Welsh Government consultation underway on the future of the Independent Living Fund (ILF) that I’m keen to highlight amongst my constituents and the Argus readership more widely.

Established by the Westminster Government in 1988, the fund was set up to provide financial support to disabled people who require a high level of support in order to live independently.

With the coalition deciding in 2010 that it would close the ILF and hive off responsibility to local authorities and the devolved nations, they were successfully challenged in the High Court on the basis that they failed carry out an adequate equality impact assessment.

However, with that process now worked through, the Tories and Lib Dems have proceeded with the closure of the fund which will be formally wound up on June 30, 2015.

This leaves the Welsh Government facing some really important decisions; decisions which could profoundly affect the lives of the 1,686 people in Wales currently receiving support through the ILF, including 69 of my constituents in Torfaen and many more across Gwent.

Essentially, the consultation proposes four options – establish a Welsh equivalent of the ILF, establish a National Independent Living Scheme as an alternative way of meeting the needs of those who require intensive or complex packages of care, or transfer funding and responsibility down to local authorities, either as part of the overall settlement they receive from the Welsh Government, or via a special grant with conditions attached.

Crucially - and as we’ve seen on a number of occasions in the past - although the UK Government have devolved the funds paid out from the ILF in Wales, the costs of administering the scheme have not been handed down, which could prove prohibitive in terms of establishing a Welsh version of the ILF or developing any alternative national scheme.

In any case, there are arguments that any new arrangements should integrate closely with existing social service provision, although I’m mindful that some service users are worried about the funding simply being passed on to local authorities without conditions attached.

The consultation closes on Tuesday, December 23 so there is plenty of time for people to look at the various options being proposed and respond with their views and comments - details can be found at: http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/fund/?lang=en.

I’m also happy to take up any concerns over the change on behalf of my constituents - I can be contacted via my office on 01495 740022 or at lynne.neagle@wales.gov.uk.