Answer to Question 1:

Hi Carol,

If you have sites with private security contractors, you should check whether they are registered with the P.S.A (The Private Security Authority which was established under the Private Security Services Act, 2004, is the statutory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the Irish private security industry).  All security companies are required to register with the P.S.A. The deadline by which they were supposed to register has now passed so they could be prosecuted along with the contractor that employed them.

The P.S.A. issue two types of licenses:

• Private Security Service Contractors License (applies to companies,  partnerships and sole traders providing security services)
• Private Security Service Employee License

Each licence will identify the sector(s) of the private security industry in which the licensee is authorised to operate and will be valid for two years

Further details can be found on the following website: http://www.psa.gov.ie/psa/psa.nsf/agentvw?Openform&vw=psaFAQs