Labour has described the decision to raise the age limit for garda recruits from 35 to 50 as a "pathetic" piece of public relations from the Minister for Justice.
Labour's Spokesperson on Justice Aodhan Ó Riordáin said there had been a persistent drop in the number of gardaí under Fine Gael's watch.
The Dublin Bay North TD said he believes the idea that the solution lies in raising the age of those entering the force is bizarre.
An Garda Síochána has launched a new recruitment campaign highlighting the increased age limit.
There will also be an increase to the garda training allowance with new recruits receiving €305 per week.
The Garda said these additions will provide a steady pipeline of garda trainees over the coming years and it is also intended that recruitment campaigns will now run annually.
At the end of 2023, there were 13,998 gardaí and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has previously commented on the need to meet the Government target of 15,000.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has welcomed this new drive to boost garda numbers.
However, there is a demand within the force to increase garda numbers even further due to population growth and the changing nature of crime.
In 2023, 746 people started training to be a garda with 388 gardaí now certified, with the next group of gardaí to be certified in April this year.
Launching the new campaign, Commissioner Harris said: "Policing in an ever changing modern and diverse society presents challenges, but equally it affords us opportunities to grow, learn and adapt.
"This is why An Garda Síochána recognises it too needs to change to meet the needs and demands of the people of Ireland."
Speaking about the increase to the age limit of applicants, Commissioner Harris said: "This provides people who may now want to be gardaí, but thought the opportunity had passed or who are considering a change in career, to join An Garda Síochána and make a real and lasting contribution to society."
Minister McEntee said she hopes and expects there will be a strong response to the campaign: "As a Government we allocated the highest ever budget of €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024.
"That included funding for between 800 and 1,000 new gardaí, and I hope, and indeed expect, that there will be a strong response to this campaign."
Acknowledging recent changes made to the eligibility requirements and increased training allowance, Ms McEntee said she believed "we are opening up policing as a career option to a new cohort of people who will bring a range of different life and career experiences to the table".
Superintendent Liam Geraghty said the changes would make it more appealing for people thinking of joining the Garda.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Supt Geraghty said new recruits will "do the same training as everybody else that applies and they will go out and start off their duties on the front line of An Garda Síochána working night shifts and walking long tours of duty".
He explained that fitness tests are adjusted based on age and gender.
The starting salary is €35,000, but gardaí get "significant allowances for night duty, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays and there's also an opportunity to earn overtime," he added.
