asked the Minister for Justice if any changes are contemplated in the rural policing arrangements in operation in Claremorris, County Mayo; if he will give details of the changes or if there is any intention of extending these or similar such arrangements for rural policing to other areas in the country; and how existing Garda stations in those areas will be affected as regards (a) personnel levels and grades and (b) hours of opening to the public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Rural Policing.
724.
Limerick East): There are no proposals at present to make any changes in the new policing arrangements which are in operation in the Garda District of Claremorris, County Mayo. The desirability of extending these arrangements into further areas is being considered in general terms — County Mayo is not being singled out for special attention. As regards the strength and opening hours of stations, I would refer the Deputy to a reply which I gave on 28 February to questions on the same lines about Garda stations in County Galway and County Roscommon. In that reply I said that no decision had as yet been taken in regard to changes in the Garda strength or opening hours of stations in those counties. The same applies to stations in County Mayo and indeed to all other rural stations.