Written answers

Tuesday, 7 October 2008

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Private Security Authority

9:00 pm

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the degree, nature and level of communication that the Private Security Authority engages in with licence holders; if communication only arises when renewal of a licence is being sought and where personnel involved in the installation of alarms are operating to an approved European standard; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the renewal system currently in place, just represents a further additional charge on these licensed operators, who have to comply with the appropriate Garda vetting form procedure; and if he will take steps to reduce the costs of compliance or in the alternative put in place a procedure that reflects in a tiered way the charge applied to the turnover of the individuals or companies involved in the installation sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33471/08]

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason, in the context of the application of a licence from the Private Security Authority pursuant to the Private Security Services Act 2004, whereby the administration fee for the licence is in the order of €1,000 and is renewable every two years, and which consists of a turnover of a fee of €1,250 where turnover is less than €625,000; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that most of the licence holders are small business operators with a significantly lower turnover; his views in this context on tiering the turnover levels, and thereby reducing the sectoral fee charged; his further views on introducing a five year licence rather than a two year licence which currently is the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33472/08]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 291 together.

The Deputy will be aware that the Private Security Authority was established as an independent statutory authority under the Private Security Services Act 2004.

The matters referred to in the Deputy's questions address operational issues, which are a matter solely for the Private Security Authority. My Office has been in contact with the Authority, which has advised me that it will reply directly to the Deputy on the issues raised by him.

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