The Government was accused of sharply reducing the number of places to be available in community employment schemes next year by the Fine Gael spokesman on trade, enterprise and employment.

Mr Phil Hogan said the decision was "shortsighted, reckless and unfair, and will result in vulnerable groups paying the price for ministerial responsibility".

He was introducing a motion in private members' times calling on the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, to ensure the continuation of the schemes at the same levels of availability as this year.

"The massive reduction in the number of places next year will result in the closure of some centres, a major financial headache for community and sporting organisations, as well as a deterioration in the level of environmental improvements being carried out in every community around the country," he said.

"This decision is yet another example of the manner in which the Government has allowed the finances of the country to go out of schemes over the last number of years."

However, Ms Harney insisted that numbers were being reduced on a phased basis in line with the reduced levels of long-term unemployment.

"There has been a strategic shift in policy in favour of greater investment in training from which there is a greater level of progression to employment," she said.

She said reports that community employment schemes were being reduced in the order of 13,000 in the current year were wildly inaccurate.

Participation levels in schemes this year would average at 28,000, and the estimated closing level at the end of the year would be around 25,000. This compared to 30,809 participants at the beginning of this year.

Ms Harney said the primary purpose of the community employment programme was as a transitional labour market programme to provide work experience and training for the long-term unemployed with a view to their reintegration into open labour market employment.

Debate on the motion continues tonight.