Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 641: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the number of employers and employees in the private security sector that have been detected by the Private Security Authority to be non-compliant with licensing requirements each year since the authority was established; the sanctions that have been imposed on non-compliant private security employers and employees; the number of checks carried out by the PSA each year on operators and employees in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26185/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, 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 my Department.

I am informed by the Authority that, to date, there have been 44 successful criminal prosecutions in the Courts and over 6,300 applications have been rejected or refused. The tables below sets out enforcement statistics since 2008. Comparable figures for the years 2006 and 2007 are not available as the Authority's enforcement policy was evolving as the licensing of the private security industry matured during the early years of licensing. Contractor Enforcement Details 2008 - 2012 (to date)

Individual Enforcement Details 2008 - 2012 (to date)

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 642: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on his recent introduction of new regulations for the electronic security sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26186/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, is an independent agency under the remit of my Department responsible for the regulation and licensing of the private security industry. The licensing of installers of security equipment encompassing intruder alarm, CCTV and access control systems is one such activity covered by the 2004 legislation.

I recently consented to the making of regulations, by the PSA, to extend licensing to contractors providing security services installing CCTV and access control systems. In accordance with these regulations, from 1st October 2012, all existing contractors providing licensable CCTV and access control services must be in possession of the appropriate licence(s) or have an application lodged with the Authority. The regulations also provide for the licensing of contractors who maintain intruder alarms systems.

As with other activities licensed by the Authority, the validity of licenses will be based upon continued certified compliance with the required standards. The standard required for the access control sector is SR 40:2005 - an Irish Standard Recommendation for electronic security services. For CCTV, both the SR 40 standard and PSA 2006:12 are required, the latter being the Authority's requirements for CCTV installation. The Authority has also specified standards for contractors who maintain intruder alarms.

As a measure to alleviate the cost of the introduction of licensing to these new sectors, existing licensed intruder alarm installers will be able to add the CCTV and access control sectors to their existing licence at no additional cost. Furthermore, in terms of compliance costs, existing licence holders will be allowed to synchronise the timing of their standard certification audits for the new sectors with their existing intruder alarm auditing arrangements.

I am informed by the Authority that the extension of its licensing to these sectors has been in preparation for a considerable time and has involved consultation with the industry stakeholders. This extension of licensing, as outlined, marks the completion of the Authority's licensing for the electronic security sector.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 643: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the legislation he proposes to bring forward to licence all sectors of the private security industry under the remit of the Private Security Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26187/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Private Security Authority, an independent agency under the remit of my Department, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry in the State. The Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, sets out the activities in the private security industry which are, or will be, subject to licensing.

Licensing is being introduced on a phased basis by the Authority, who currently licence contractors in the Door Supervisor (Licensed Premises), Security Guard (Static), Security Guard (Monitoring Centre), Installer (Intruder Alarm) and Cash In Transit sectors. Individuals working in the Door Supervisor (Licensed Premises) and Security Guard (Static) sectors, whether employed by a licensed contractor or directly by a business as in house security personnel, also require a licence.

Last month, I consented to the making of Regulations by the PSA to extend licensing, from 1st October 2012, to contractors installing CCTV and Access Control systems. This completes the Authority's licensing of contractors in the electronic security sector.

I am informed by the Authority that it is currently planning to introduce the licensing of certain individuals working in the Cash In Transit sector later on this year, as well as the licensing of contractors in the CCTV Monitoring and Event Security sectors in 2013. It is not possible to give a precise date, at this stage,for the regulation of the remaining sectors.