Elderly people are facing waiting lists for free personal care

The flagship policy has been widely praised as one of the main achievements of the Scottish Parliament.

However, Holyrood's health committee found at least 75% of Scotland's councils have waiting lists while funding concerns remain unresolved.

Mr Macdonald said: "Some 50,000 people benefit from this policy."

His comments come as MSPs debated a report by the committee which identified "major problems" with the policy.

It found 24 local authorities admitted delays in delivering help to older people with things like washing and dressing.

After concerns were raised in March, the committee uncovered waiting times of up to four months in some areas.

It is not enough for us simply to pass legislation and then regard it as a job done Lewis Macdonald Deputy health minister

Mr Macdonald told MSPs that, while there were issues, many Scots had benefited from the introduction of free personal care for those aged over 65.

He said 40,000 people living at home had received personal care without charge while a further 9,000 or more are receiving payments in care homes to pay for costs.

Mr Macdonald said the executive is carrying out their own review of the policy to see whether improvements can be made.

The conclusion is expected later this year.

"We do recognise there are implementation issues," Mr Macdonald said.

"We intend to address those as part of the review and look at issues of long-term sustainability."

He added: "It is not enough for us simply to pass legislation and then regard it as a job done, the legislation is simply the start of a job and not its completion."

Additional funds

Despite concerns that have been raised by councils over the level of funding, the minister insisted the policy "remains affordable".

Mr Macdonald said generous additional funds had been made available.

Councils were given �153m in 2005, rising to �162m for this financial year and �169m next year.

Janis Hughes, deputy convener of the committee, described the policy as one of the parliament's most "significant achievements" but said there were problems.

"The cost of implementing this policy had been underestimated to an extent that placed significant pressure on Scottish local authorities," she said.

There is a danger that the policy could wither on the vine in terms of public support Shona Robison SNP health spokeswoman

Ms Hughes explained that there were concerns some councils were delaying assessments of patients for financial reasons.

Shona Robison, the Scottish National Party's health spokeswoman, said it was "crucial" that action was taken on problems identified by the committee.

"There is a danger that the policy could wither on the vine in terms of public support," she said.