Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the role the National Standards Authority of Ireland has in respect of companies or individuals who register with the Private Security Authority; if a charge is involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39227/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Private Security Authority (PSA), established under the Private Security Services Act 2004 and operating under the remit of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is the regulatory body for the private security industry. I understand that under the Act it is compulsory for private security contractors to be licensed by the PSA. In order to obtain a licence from the PSA the security provider must, among other things, be certified as being compliant with relevant Irish and European standards.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is one of a number of bodies, authorised by the PSA, to certify companies or sole traders providing security services which require a certificate of compliance by the PSA. The NSAI have advised me that the cost of certification varies according to the scheme or schemes being certified and with the scope of the security services being provided.