11,000 applications for 2,000 garda posts
The Public Appointments Service was inundated with applications from potential recruits before last week's deadline.
Spokesman Martin Burke said between 10,500 and 11,000 applications were received in total.
"Our objective is to make sure there's a strong pool of garda recruits. Hopefully, it will result in a very strong garda recruitment," he said.
More than 90% of the applications were made online via the publicjobs.ie website.
The expansion of the garda force by an additional 2,000 members was announced last October by Justice Minister Michael McDowell.
Under the €330 million plan, around 1,100 recruits will be recruited next year, with a similar number in 2006 and 2007. This will allow the force to increase to 14,000 members, even as 1,350 senior gardaí go into retirement.
The Garda Representative Association said the deluge of applications more than five for every job was a positive sign for the force. "It certainly shows the desirability of a career in the gardaí despite one of its most difficult years, where it has been held up to scrutiny and dissection by some cowboy commentators in the media," said general secretary PJ Stone.
"It is particularly encouraging to see such an interest in such a vital job against a background of unprecedented economic remuneration in the private sector."
Gardaí who qualify from the training college in Templemore, Co Tipperary, will receive a salary of €22,520 rising in stages to €40,472.
A garda spokeswoman said the new age limit, which was raised from 26 to 35, had contributed to the volume of applications.
"There will be more people from a broader cross section of society. The more experience the better," she said.
The 11,000 applicants will all sit aptitude tests in the new year. The top 5% will be brought forward for interview, while all others who pass the exam will remain in the recruitment pool. The final stage is a medical test and a physical fitness exam.
Around 400 of the recruits will be assigned to the new Garda Traffic Corps in an effort to cut the number of road deaths.
