Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the cost to the Exchequer to run the Private Security Authority for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45475/10]

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.

In accordance with the 2004 Act, the Authority receives a grant from the Oireachtas, via my Department. The Authority also receives moneys to the benefit of the Exchequer (Appropriations in Aid), by way of its licensing fees, thereby reducing greatly the overall cost to the Exchequer. Details of Exchequer grants and Appropriations in Aid, for the three years requested by the Deputy are set out below:

Year Exchequer grant Appropriations in Aid

(approx. in euro) (approx. in euro)

2007 2,782,000 2,311,000

2008 2,344,000 2,386,000

2009 2,399,000 2,081,000

Furthermore, the Authority, through its regulation of the private security sector, has generated additional receipts for the Exchequer, by requiring applicants for licences to have a tax clearance certificate thus enforcing tax compliance in this sector.