A new recruitment drive for An Garda Síochána has been launched as the force celebrates its centenary year.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has urged members of new Irish communities, women and people from minority groups to apply.
She said the Government and the Garda Commissioner are committed to increasing diversity and ensuring that all communities can see themselves reflected in the police service.
Budget 2022 provided for the recruitment of up to 1,200 gardaí and support staff this year and many of those recruited will be drawn from this competition.
The recruitment competition is the first held since new regulations were introduced, which includes ending the requirement for applicants to be proficient in two languages, one of which must be English or Irish.
Proficiency is now required in just one language - either English or Irish.
In a statement, Commissioner Drew Harris said: "For 100 years, An Garda Síochána has been keeping the people of Ireland safe and as we begin marking our organisation's centenary this week it is particularly fitting for us to be able open up recruitment."
He said as Ireland is changing and becoming more multi-cultural, the recruitment drive "is focused on encouraging those who may not have previously considered training to become a garda".
Applications are open until 3pm on Wednesday 16 March.
Earlier this week, a new uniform for all gardaí, sergeants and inspectors was revealed.
Over 13,000 gardaí will in future wear polo shirts, two-tone soft shell and waterproof jackets and operational trousers.
The uniform will also be clearly badged with the Garda crest for the first time.
Yesterday marked the 100th anniversary of the first meeting called to decide on the future of policing in the new Free State.
The first recruits presented themselves at the temporary depot in the RDS in Dublin, on 21 February 1922.
