asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda stations in the country without a sergeant; and when it is proposed to fill any vacancies.
Written Answers. - Garda Station Vacancies.
15.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are 62 stations where no sergeant is allocated at present. The question of assigning sergeants to these stations, which are all located in rural areas, is kept under review having regard to overall resources and the policing needs of the areas concerned.
As regards the policing of rural areas generally, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 3 on 19 February 1981 in which I referred to the recommendations regarding new methods of policing rural areas which have been made by a joint Garda and Department of the Public Service study team.