An average of 14 people have applied for each Garda Reserve job on offer this year, figures today revealed.
A total of 3,729 new applications have been received by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) up to the end of October, but only 270 of the part-time officers are being recruited in 2008.
The Government hopes the Reserve will eventually reach 1,500 or 10 per cent of the total Garda force, which stands at 14,267.
The Garda Commissioner’s 2008 Policing Plan has set a target of recruiting 270 of the part-time officers this year.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said: “As the Garda Reserve depends on volunteers who undertake their training and other duties during their free time, it is difficult to predict how many people will commence training in any particular period.
“However the Garda Commissioner is making every effort to reach the recruitment target.”
Former Justice Minister Michael McDowell set up the Reserve in 2006 despite opposition from Garda representative bodies and Opposition parties.
Mr Ahern said that the establishment of the Garda Reserve is one of the most progressive innovations in policing in Ireland in recent years.
“It has strengthened the links between the Garda Síochána and local communities and is a source of local support and knowledge.
“Full-time and Reserve members are working well together, and I believe that the positive impacts made since the establishment of the Reserve in late 2006 bode well for the future of the force.”
The PAS holds interviews with candidates on a rolling basis around the country. An ongoing public-awareness campaign includes radio and TV promotional interviews at national and local level.
PA