500 gardaí will have retired from An Garda Síochána by the end of the year, and 40 members have indicated their intention to retire early next year, the Minister for Justice has told the Dáil.
Alan Shatter said the Garda Commissioner must identify appropriate savings within the force given the budgetary constraints, adding that the Government is anxious to make sure that frontline services are maintained.
He said no decisions have been made to close garda stations, but some stations may open for shorter hours.
Mr Shatter also said that further court closures are likely in 2012.
He said the Courts Service had approved the closures of Ballymote, Boyle, Templemore and Kiltimagh district courts, which were amalgamated with neighbouring courts this year.
He said in some cases closures were due to inappropriate venues where there were no holding cells, the number of sittings, and the proximity of the Garda to the court.
He said the Courts Service was keeping court venues under continuous review.
