More than 30,000 people say they want to join the gardaí next year. Justice Minister Alan Shatter says the number of people expressing an interest is around three-times more than usual.

The government is planning to begin garda recruitment again next year after a five-year freeze.

Speaking last month, the Minister said the intake would be in two phases next Spring.

However could not say how many recruits would be taken in.

The Minister has previously admitted the gardai need an extra €32 million in funding this year. But he said the government has assigned enough money for next year to resume training in Templemore.

The Minister says he will start taking official applications next week.