Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied with the performance of the Private Security Authority; if his attention has been drawn to complaints that oppressive conditions are being imposed on ordinary installers of alarm systems and that, as a result, jobs are being threatened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14976/09]

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 operating under the aegis of my Department. I have no role, therefore, in relation to operational decisions taken by the Authority.

I am satisfied with the performance of the Private Security Authority in introducing a licensing regime to the private security industry, and I am supportive of its overall aim of promoting positive change in the industry, to the benefit to both consumers and providers of security services.

Following the introduction of licensing, it is an offence to provide a service without a licence or to employ an unlicensed operator. The aim of licensing is to regulate and monitor contractors providing security services and to improve standards in the provision of these services. Both the industry and public are benefitting from the rising standards that regulation has brought about.

I am informed by the Authority that contractors applying for a licence, including in the intruder alarm installer sector, are required to provide the following standard documentation in support of their application: · Completed Application Form · Valid Tax Clearance Certificate · Completed Garda Vetting Form · Evidence of attainment of the required technical and security management sector standard I am satisfied that these requirements are reasonable and in no way place an oppressive burden on applicants.

Contractors, including the intruder alarm installer sector, are also required to pay a licence fee. I am informed by the Authority that the current licence fee structure in this regard reflects the differences which exist between the different sectors within the private security industry. It comprises 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.

There are currently 494 intruder alarm installers licensed by the Authority. This compares to 490 at the end of 2007 and 501 at the end of 2008. While the number of licensed contractors has remained steady over the past 18 months, the Authority expects that the current downturn in the construction industry will have an impact on the number of contractors operating in the sector.