The first 40 Garda reservists will begin training at the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, today. They are among the initial intake from 6,661 applications since a recruitment campaign was launched last month.
Since August 14th, a further 9,138 submitted applications to become Garda trainees, while a total of 1,235 applicants applied for both positions.
Nine hundred reserve posts are to be filled initially.
The release of the figures yesterday coincided with the withdrawal by the Garda Representative Association (GRA) from pay talks. Its spokesman said a forthcoming central executive meeting in mid-October would draw up "a plan of action" on the reserve.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said the "overwhelming success" of the recruitment campaign was a strong vote of confidence in the Garda Síochána.
Mr McDowell said: "The recruitment campaign has attracted a massive response from aspiring gardaí and reserve members. The high level of applicants is a strong vote of confidence in our national police service, particularly as the campaign was conducted during a difficult period for An Garda Síochána.
"An Garda Síochána is undergoing huge reform; it is being transformed into a modern, fully accountable and transparent professional police service and I believe the success of this campaign reflects the public's acknowledgment of this reality."
The Garda Reserve is opposed by the GRA and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, but Mr McDowell said the number of applicants had vindicated his decision to establish it.
"It is plain that this initiative enjoys overwhelming public support and I urge all stakeholders to now give their wholehearted support to the Garda Reserve's pioneer volunteers as they commence training in Templemore this coming weekend."
However, the GRA yesterday withdrew from pay talks because of "excessive demands being placed on its members" over a 3 per cent cost of living increase due on December 1st and announced that its central executive meeting in mid-October would draw up a "plan of action" on the reserve.
Responding to the figures, a GRA spokesman said there was a discrepancy between those released by the department and the number of vetting requests received by Garda Headquarters.
Each candidate must be vetted before being interviewed, but a GRA spokesman said only 309 vetting requests had been received by gardaí in the first four weeks of the recruitment round.
"It sounds like a great figure, but those who will actually make the grade are a lot lower," he said.
The GRA is also concerned that local Garda stations are being given only two days to vet candidates from their area. "Anyone who was unsuitable would have the full powers of An Garda Síochána, and any failure would have massive repercussions," the spokesman said.
The closing date for Garda trainee applications was September 19th, and there were 9,138 applications for 1,000 places with training to start in February. Recruitment for the Garda Reserve continues indefinitely.