Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will liaise with the Private Security Authority on the matter of the annual fee paid to them by persons employed in the security industry; and if he will ask them to consider reducing or waiving the fee for self employed persons in the current economic climate in view of the fact that they also pay an annual fee to the National Standards Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14841/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004 is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry in the State. The Authority is an independent body under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. My Department has no role, therefore, in the issuing of private security licences. This is a matter for which the Private Security Authority has sole statutory responsibility. It would be inappropriate for me to interfere in the exercise of these statutory functions.

I am informed by the Authority that the current licence fee structure, in so far as it applies to self-employed contractors, reflects the differences which exist between the different sectors within the private security industry. It comprises of two elements, an administration fee of €1,000 and a turnover fee based on the annual turnover of a contractor. The licence issued by the Authority is valid for a two year period.

While the provision of a regulatory environment for the industry understandably leads to structured cost implications, the Authority is currently monitoring and reviewing the licence fee structure for contractors. However, any revision of fees will have to comply with Government policy, which seeks to ensure that regulation be funded by the industry.