The Justice Minister is defending his decision to close 100 Garda stations around the country.

The station closures were announced today as part of the Budget 2013 measures.

The government has also announced its reducing opening hours in 7 others in Cork and Dublin and amalgamating 28 districts into 14.

Minister Alan Shatter says the consolidation will enable more flexible deployment of Garda personnel in the enlarged Districts, and provide improved economies of scale in administration.

He says 98% of the 100 stations that are closing are part-time and the vast majority only open for 3 hours a day and are staffed by only 1 officer.

Two large Garda stations in Dublin will also close - Stepaside, which is in the constituency of the Minister, and another in Kill O' The Grange which is in the constituency of Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore.

Annual garda plan

When the stations close these members will be primarily allocated to Dundrum and Dun Laoghaire stations. 

It is anticipated that most of the stations will be closed in the first 6 months of 2013.

It all forms part of the annual policing plan for next year.

It sets out proposals for continuing the process of restructuring and reconfiguring the way in which policing services are organised and delivered.

The plan will also see €5 million available for the purchase and fit-out of new Garda vehicles in the coming year.

Minister Shatter says the closures will free up Gardai from behind desks and modernising the Garda network.