Martin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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216. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to update the Private Security Services Act 2004. [28495/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Private Security Services Act, 2004 (as amended) provides the legal basis for the regulation and licensing of sectors of the private security industry in Ireland.  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 a statutorily independent body operating under the aegis of my Department.

The 2004 Act was amended in 2011 by means of amendments to the Civil Law (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 2011. These amendments strengthened certain financial, licensing and enforcement functions of the Authority and came about following lessons learned by the Authority from its operations since licensing commenced.

In April 2019, I secured Government approval to bring the regulation of private security personnel, employed to assist in enforcing court orders, within the remit of the Private Security Authority. The proposals for this measure and related matters are contained in the report of an Interdepartmental Working Group Report which was published on my Department’s website on 9 April, 2019. My Department is working with the Office of the Attorney General to bring forward the necessary legislative provisions as soon as possible.

The 2004 Act is kept under review with a view to bringing forward any further changes where  necessary.