Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the way the Private Security Authority has over-regulated the electronic security sector (details supplied) or the direct job losses and closures of small to medium-sized businesses as a result of excessive fees and time-wasting documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7120/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Private Security Authority (PSA), established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry. The Authority is an independent body under the aegis of my Department and the administration of the Authority is vested in a Board whose membership includes industry representatives. With regard to the electronic security sector, the Authority has to date regulated 'Intruder Alarm Installers' and 'Intruder Alarm Monitoring Centres'. The purpose of licensing this sector is to ensure that the public are being provided with a security service by installers who are properly established, tax compliant, have had a criminal record check and who are able to carry out work to an acceptable standard.

I have been advised by the Authority that they also intend to commence licensing of 'CCTV Installers' in the future. I am further advised that in drafting the requirements underpinning the future licensing of this group, the Authority has endeavoured at all times to include the views of the public and industry. This is achieved through the formulation of a document setting out the processes and procedures applying to installation and maintenance of CCTV systems in a licensed environment. I can inform the Deputy that there have been two periods of public consultation; one in 2008 and one in 2009/2010 as well as extensive formal, focussed consultation with stakeholders from industry throughout this time to ensure that the draft document, when finally agreed, is as reflective as possible of industry concerns.

In the course of these consultations, I am informed that there had not been any significant objections to the inclusion of maintenance as a licensable activity as it was agreed by stakeholders that proven competence in this field, through compliance with PSA requirements, was an essential safeguard to ensure the confidence of the public and consumers as well as protecting the vast majority of contractors who already provide a high quality service in the areas of installation and maintenance.

The Deputy may wish to note that the latest targeted public consultation process indicates that around 40% of potential CCTV Installer licence applicants are already in possession of a PSA 'Intruder Alarm Installer' licence. For these potential applicants there will be no additional cost in respect of licence fees. Licence fee charges will only accrue to those CCTV Installers who are not, at the time of the application for a PSA licence, already in possession of any PSA licence relating to the installation of electronic security systems.

The PSA has also sought the views of the industry representative body on ways to reduce the costs of compliance for contractors while at the same time maintaining standards for the public. An examination of the number of contractors licensed by the PSA shows that the numbers have remained unchanged over the past three years and while some contractors have exited from the industry this has been offset by the number of new entrants to the sector.