125 people have applied to join the new Garda Reserve since applications were invited from the public this morning.
The Department of Justice has said this shows that there is a strong interest in the reserve, which should start performing its duties in the autumn.
Recruitment for the first 900 Garda Reserve members began with advertisements on radio, in local and national newspapers and on the garda website.
The Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, has also published regulations which mean reservists can now police without having to be accompanied by a full-time garda.
It means the force can operate in spite of the stated policy of non-cooperation by the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors.
Neither association would comment publicly on today's development.
They are still trying to have the issue of the principle of the Garda Reserve raised at the Conciliation Council, the only industrial relations mechanism for gardaí.
An Garda Síochána is taking applications for another 1,000 full-time members but while the closing date for this competition is 19 September, the one for reservists is open ended.
