Armed military personnel will no longer be stationed at Portlaoise Prison

Cabinet discussed more than 60 items on Wednesday including a measure to allow mothers defer maternity leave for up to 52 weeks if they are dealing with serious illness

Defence Forces personnel have been deployed at the prison since 1973 but the Cabinet has deemed their presence no longer necessary. Niall Carson/PA

Armed military personnel will no longer be stationed at Portlaoise Prison as it is now deemed unnecessary.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has obtained Government approval for the withdrawal of armed military personnel from the prison later this year.

Members of the military have served at the prison since 1973. However, responsibilities will be taken over by the prison service and the gardaí.

The Cabinet discussed more than 60 items during the final meeting of this term, with disability services, road projects in Donegal, and a bill to allow companies to hold hybrid or fully virtual meetings on a permanent basis all on the agenda.

Among the decisions taken was one that will allow allow women to defer maternity leave in cases of serious illness for up to 52 weeks. The move has been welcomed by the Irish Cancer Society which said that every year, around 60 women go through a cancer diagnosis while pregnant or postpartum.

Speaking after a meeting of the Cabinet meeting, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said: “Maternity leave is such an important time for mothers and their babies, and so no one should be forced to use that time for undergoing medical treatment.

“The legislation approved today will mean that, where necessary, mothers will be able to postpone their maternity leave, focus on their treatment, and retain that precious time with their baby.”

The Maternity Protection (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provision Bill will ensure that women undergoing treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses are not forced to use their maternity leave.

Meanwhile, the Government has agreed to look into a bid to stage The Open golf tournament and the AIG Women’s Open at Portmarnock Golf Club.

While any final decision on supporting an official bid will be subject to a positive outcome on discussions between the Portmarnock club and The R&A, ministers are expecting a recommendation will be brought to Government in the autumn.

The Open is the oldest and most prestigious golf championship in the world and it was held in Portrush, Northern Ireland, in 2019.

However, there will also be a requirement for a positive economic impact assessment for the bid.

The Green Party brought a revamped Water Action Plan to Cabinet, which aims to reduce water pollution and improve the quality of over 300 water-bodies by 2027. It will be implemented with the support and participation of local communities who are most affected by the quality of their local water.

Ministers also signed off on a plan to cut the level of welfare support received by Ukrainian refugees who fled to Ireland between 2022 and March 2024. The reduced supports will come into force from September.

The changes will mean that Ukrainian refugees living in State-provided, full-board accommodation will see payments reduced from the full jobseekers’ rate of €232 per week to €38.80 per week for an adult, subject to an income test.

There will be a reduced weekly payment of €29.80 for a child.

Ukrainians who arrived after March 14, 2024 are accommodated in specially Designated Accommodation Centres for up to 90 days.