asked the Minister for Justice the number of rural Garda stations at present operating without the services of a full time Garda sergeant.
Written Answers. - Rural Garda Stations.
41.
The Garda authorities inform me that the number of rural Garda stations to which a sergeant would normally be assigned, but which are currently without a sergeant, is 155. The question of filling some of the posts concerned from the recently announced panel for promotion to sergeant rank is being considered by the Garda authorities.
42.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of rural Garda stations closed since January 1987.
The former Garda sub-station at Corbetstown, County Kilkenny, was the only station closed in the period in question. The closure took place in January 1988. The decision to close the station was taken on the advice of the Garda authorities which was to the effect that adequate policing cover could be given to the area from other stations in the locality and that the closure would contribute to the more efficient use of Garda resources in the Waterford/Kilkenny Garda Division.
There is no change in the general policy of keeping rural Garda stations open.