The Justice Minister has given a further indication that more Garda stations could be slated for closure next year.

39 have been shut down this year already leaving 664 stations in operation around the country.

Alan Shatter says crime rates are down across the board except for burglary.

This is the focus of a major Garda crackdown at the moment.

He has also drawn a comparison with Scotland which has a bigger population than ours but has just 340 police stations.

Minister Shatter says he will be listening carefully to what the Garda Commissioner has to say when he reports to him in the coming months.

Speaking to Breakfast here on Newstalk Minister Shatter said we have to maximise the force for front-line policing.

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