A chief superintendent and superintendent will be appointed to establish and oversee the new Garda Reserve, it emerged today.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell also announced that six superintendents will be allocated to the Traffic Corps and that another will head up a victim liaison policy unit.
The new posts in the various supervisory ranks are one chief superintendent, nine superintendents, 73 inspectors and 443 sergeants.
The increase in sergeants and inspectors was approved by Government to keep pace with the expansion of the force to 14,000 gardaí and members in training by the end of this year.
Mr McDowell said the expansion requires a proportional increase in the numbers of sergeants and inspectors to preserve the current ratio of these officers to those at the basic Garda rank.
"It is vital that the effectiveness of An Garda Siochána at supervisory level is maintained and strengthened. Consistency in supervision and guidance are essential for effective performance and the maintenance of discipline in the force," he said.
"This measure will ensure that the Commissioner has sufficient resources at supervisory level to ensure the highest standards of supervision and discipline in the force."
The current move stems from a strategic review carried out by Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy in the wake of the creation of specialist units and plans to expand the Garda Traffic Corps by 1,200 over the next two years.
PA