Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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82. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspections carried out by the Private Security Authority on company records, and events, where registered companies were operative, in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17226/23]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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83. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sanctions/prosecutions imposed on security companies arising out of these inspections by the Private Security Authority in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17227/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 83 together.

I can advise the Deputy, that the Private Security Authority, an independent body under the aegis of my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for licensing and regulating the private security industry in Ireland.

The Private Security Authority regulates both contractors and employees across a range of sectors in the security industry.

I am advised that between 2021 and 2022, the Private Security Authority commenced over 1,700 enforcement cases of which 192 related to the inspection of contractor records to ensure compliance with licensing requirements. As a result of this inspection work, five contractors were prosecuted during the period and a further seven had their licence revoked.

In addition to this, one contractor had their licence suspended for a period, two were issued with a reprimand and two received a warning notice.