Fianna Fáil backbenchers are "crying crocodile tears" over the loss of 5,000 places on the Community Employment Scheme (CES), Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny said today.
The axing of the places was agreed some time ago and confirmed in the recent publication of the Book of Estimates. But as many as 40 backbenchers are reported agitating for the 5,000 places to be retained.
Mr Frank Fahey, junior minister at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, told the parliamentary party on Tuesday that the cut could have serious electoral repercussions.
But Mr McCreevy is adamant that spending levels have been finalised and that extra funding for the CES places will not be forthcoming.
Mr Fahey, who is Minister of State for Labour Affairs, continued his call for retention of the places on RTÉ Radio this morning.
"This time he's [Mr McCreevy] wrong ... I believe on this issue, where the most vulnerable people in the country are concerned, the amount of money is not the issue because its so small, and he should change his mind and give us the extra resources.
"I believe the Government must listen to the parliamentary party on this issue," Mr Fahey said.
He vowed to continue arguing the case with Mr McCreevy, but later in the day Fianna Fáil voted down a Fine Gael proposal to debate the issue this evening.
Mr Kenny described this as hypocrisy. "They passed up a prime opportunity to effect actual change rather than simply cry crocodile tears on the issue.
"No-one can really believe that Minister Fahey and his cohorts were sincere in their efforts to ensure the survival of the CE scheme, and the countless groups that depend on the scheme for their own survival," Mr Kenny said.
The Labour Party has tabled a Private Members Motion calling on the Government to reverse its cuts in the scheme and to approve proposals for the creation of an additional 5,000 places. The motion will be taken in the Dail on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Labour enterprise, trade and employment spokesman, Mr Brendan Howlin said he believed that there was a majority in the Dáil supporting the reversal of the cuts.
"I am glad that Fianna Fáil backbenchers have, apparently, at last woken up to the damage being done by the huge reductions in CE numbers," he said. "Much of the damage might have been averted had they taken a stand on this issue when the Tánaiste began the process of cutting 10,000 CE places."