Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to reduce the cost of a PSA licence to make it more affordable for small business owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48364/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that 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. As the Deputy will appreciate, the provision of a regulatory environment understandably has cost implications for the industry but the public and the industry itself both benefit from regulation. I am informed by the Authority that the current fee, which is for a two year licence, was set by the Authority in 2005 and has not been increased since that time. I am advised that the Board of the Authority is, in fact, currently reviewing the licence fee structure and will consider the matter at its next meeting. The Deputy may wish to note that an instalment payment option to assist contractors with paying for their licence has already been introduced by the Authority.

Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who paid for a PSA licence in the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48365/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that 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. I am informed that the Authority issues two types of licence, both of which are valid for a period of two years. Details are as follows: Contractor Licences which are required by companies, partnerships and sole traders and Individual Licences which are required by all those working in the security sector within the State whether employed by a licensed contractor or directly by a business as in house security personnel.

The table sets out the number of valid applications received by the Authority for the years 2010, 2011 and to the end of October 2012.