The FAI are on course to have a new Republic of Ireland manager in place by the time they face Scotland in a friendly in February.
Former Northern Ireland manager Bryan Hamilton has been interviewing candidates on behalf of the FAI and has been encouraged by the quality of applicants.
A spokesman for the FAI said: "We have had a very positive response and it is an ongoing process. However, we are not going to make any comments until the process is finished and we have something to say.
"The target is to have somebody in place by February, but we shall not know the exact timing of things until Bryan has finished the process."
Meanwhile, the implementation steering committee of the FAI has stepped up the process of appointing a new chief executive officer for the association.
The job description for the new position is being drawn up and the selection of recruitment advisors will take place following its next meeting, on January 10th.
PA