Fianna Fáil has appointed a "working group" of backbench TDs and senators to discuss the Community Employment Scheme's future with the new Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Martin.
The decision to announce the appointment of this group last night comes amid widespread acceptance that the Government is to expand the numbers employed by this scheme. This will represent a change of policy following the cuts in the scheme since 2002.
The CE scheme provides both local employment and staff for various important local initiatives, and is therefore politically sensitive for backbenchers.
Fianna Fáil backbenchers have been campaigning for an increase in the numbers on the schemes for over a year, against resistance from the former minister for finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy, and the Tánaiste, Ms Harney.
Following the poor local and European election results in June the Government decided to ease the restrictions on the scheme somewhat, and Mr Martin has already signalled he will look at further expanding the scheme again.