The Government has announced it is to increase the number of garda inspectors by 120 to 500.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said the change is required to support the new garda operating model and was recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing.
The change also means additional responsibilities for garda inspectors in major areas of policing, including crime, roads and community policing.
The move has been welcomed by the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors.
AGSI General Secretary Antoinette Cunningham said increased number of garda inspectors creates an additional layer of badly needed supervision and mentoring that will assist the overall Garda Reform Programme.
The Commission on the Future of Policing recommended that more garda inspectors be appointed to support more senior officers during the changes in policing currently under way.
Minister McEntee said she wants to bring the numbers up from the current 380 to 482 immediately.
The garda inspectors will in future take on the responsibility for duties previously carried out by superintendents.
There will be new inspectors in roads and community policing and new detective inspectors for crime and the divisional protective services bureau.
They will also take on the responsibility for dealing with discipline, complaints and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.
The increase must first be sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
