The Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr Tom Kitt, moved yesterday to deflect suggestions that the Community Employment (CE) scheme is to be phased out.
Criticisms of a recent Government decision to cut 4,500 places on the scheme have come from SIPTU, the Labour Party, Sinn Fein and the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed.
Mr Kitt said there would be no cuts in the current year and the £1.25 billion budget to tackle unemployment remains unchanged.
He also denied charges that the social partners had not been consulted about the changes the Government is planning in the CE scheme.
The Department of Enterprise said yesterday the scheme is scheduled to be phased out over the next five years.
The reasons it gave were the reduction in unemployment, the rate of job creation and the better chance of unemployed people getting secure jobs through formal training with FAS than CE schemes.
Mr Kitt acknowledged concerns about the phasing out of the CE schemes but insisted there would be full consultation with all interested parties.
The Labour Party spokesman on enterprise, Mr Pat Rabbitte, called on the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Ms Harney, to make a clear statement on the Government's position in relation to the numbers employed in the CE scheme.
Specifically, Mr Rabbitte added, the Government should state if it was its intention to cut the CE scheme by 4,500 places and whether this had been discussed with the social partners.
SIPTU's general secretary, Mr John McDonnell, said the reduction in CE jobs was totally unacceptable and in breach of specific agreements reached under Partnership 2000.
"The across-the-board nature of the cutbacks is a serious blow to local community development as in many areas throughout the country Community Employment is the only job opportunity available," Mr McDonnell added.