Fine Gael has accused the Minister for Education of an "ambush" on the education sector as plans to cut 300 concessionary teaching posts were announced.
Fine Gael spokeswoman on education, Ms Olwyn Enright, said: "The Government's hypocrisy is astonishing, but Minister Dempsey's decision to ambush the education sector with this announcement at the end of the academic year is breathtaking".
Ms Enright said the move would put more pressure on students as they struggle to achieve high academic standards in crowded classrooms.
In addition, she accused the Minister of having "doubled back" on the Government's commitment to promote science subjects in schools. She claimed many of those affected by the cuts would be physical science teachers.
"Minister Dempsey has clearly indicated that he does not believe in broadening education by offering pupils a greater choice of subject," she said.
"This Government was supposed to increase participation in science subjects, and set up the Task Force on Science to achieve this aim. Noel Dempsey must nowexplain how the Task Force recommendations will be implemented".
Labour education spokeswoman Ms Jan O'Sullivan said concessionary teachers could not be made "scapegoats for the Government's skinflint approach to second-level education".
Ms O'Sullivan said: "Concessionary teachers cannot bemade the scapegoats for the Government's skinflint approach to second-level education.
"These teachers fill gaps in school teaching faculties and play a vital role in broadening the syllabus on offer to students through teaching minority subjects such as physics and music".
Green Party spokesman on education and science Mr Paul Gogarty called on the Government to reverse the decision.
He said the move would "cost millions more than it would save in the long run" because of its negative impact on our future skills base, particularly in the science subjects.