FF backbenchers row in behind community scheme amendment

Fianna Fáil backbenchers supported the Government in a series of votes on a Labour motion calling for extra Community Employment Scheme places.

Last week, several Fianna Fáil backbenchers, supported by the Minister of State for Labour Affairs, Mr Frank Fahey, had urged the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, to provide the extra resources for additional places on the scheme.

However, a number of the backbenchers yesterday spoke in favour of the Government amendment to the Labour motion, and rounded on Labour amid noisy exchanges. The amendment outlined the Government's funding of the scheme.

Despite taunts from the Opposition benches, there were no defections from the Government side when votes were called at lunchtime, in advance of Mr McCreevy's Budget speech.

Before the vote, the Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said that last week some 40 Fianna Fáil backbenchers had felt there was a sufficient crisis to sign a motion challenging Mr McCreevy.

"A half-dozen of them came in today. None of them was available last night. Today, they have come out with the confessional statement that they wanted to tell the House they signed the motion. They are like a crowd of schoolboys coming out from behind the bicycle shed and admitting they were smoking."

Earlier, Mr Charlie O'Connor (FF, Dublin South West) said being a Government backbencher was about taking responsibility in difficult times and trying to represent one's constituents to the best of one's ability.

"Maybe other parties have been so long out of Government that they do not remember what it is like. People are refocusing this discussion by raising other issues, talking about rebellion and voting against the Government."

He said that they should be saying to the Minister for Finance that he was on the right path, to restore the CES places, do the job to the best of his ability, "so that we can all enjoy the community activities that many of these schemes are promoting".

Mr Billy Kelleher (FF, Cork North Central) said nobody was disputing the important role that community employment schemes had played in areas of social disadvantage by aiding the development and upgrading of personal skills. "We must accept, however, that next year's programme will allow 25,000 places in the jobs initiative, social economy or community employment schemes."

Mr Pat Carey (FF, Dublin North West) said he had heard enough "craw-thumping, puffery and wind-baggery" from people on the Opposition benches. There was a need to focus on developing community services.

"I have no doubt that meals-on-wheels services, community centres and sports complexes need to be underpinned, but not with miserly 19.5 hour jobs. They need to be provided as proper jobs, and I expect the Government to be able to provide a restructured scheme to ensure those type of jobs will be created and that our community, unemployment and child care centres and the meals-on-wheels services can continue."

Mr John Ellis (FF, Sligo-Leitrim) said he supported the continuation of CES schemes, but they should be targeted at those who needed them.

Ms Mae Sexton (PD, Longford-Roscommon) said she was strongly committed to an effective CES programme. But it had to be recognised that in a tighter labour market it was more difficult to reconcile the needs of sponsors and participants and that a consultation process was vital. There was a need, she added, to make provision for people over 55, particularly in rural areas and with disabilities.

The Government amendment was carried by 80 votes to 66.