Health minister Dr Stephen Ladyman

The first allocation of finance from the Direct Payments Development Fund was announced by health minister Dr Stephen Ladyman on Friday.

A total of 45 community and voluntary groups will receive a share of £4.5 million from the fund, launched in October last year.

The organisations have been charged with providing "vital" support of the scheme, which offers cash to people to buy care and support independently of social services.

"I am delighted to announce today the successful bids to the first stage of the Direct Payments Development Fund," said Ladyman.

"We have made £9 million available over three years to enable voluntary organisations in partnership with councils to invest in establishing direct payments as an option for people across the country.

"I have no doubt that as a result we will see a significant increase in people choosing to receive Direct Payments and therefore exercising much more control and choice in their lives, as all of us wish to do.

"The overall quality of the bids received was very impressive and there will be a further opportunity early next year for more partnerships to bid for support from the fund for the second wave."