The Minister for Justice said today the level of applications for positions with the Garda reserve or as trainees was "a strong vote of confidence in An Garda Síochána".
In a statement released today Mr McDowell said there has been 9,138 applications for Garda trainee posts and 6,661 applications for the Garda Reserve to date. Of these, 1,235 have applied for both.
The applications followed a national media advertising campaign. The formation of the 900-strong Garda reserve is opposed by the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors.
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".
The closing date for Garda trainee applications was September 19th. Recruitment for the Garda Reserve is ongoing.
The 9,138 applicants to become a Garda trainee are chasing just 1,000 training places. The first of these will enter training at the Garda College, Templemore, in February.
"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," Mr McDowell said.