The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern TD, has today signed the Private Security (Identity Badge) Regulations 2009. These Regulations come into effect on 1st September 2009 and require all licensed door supervisors and security guards to wear an identity badge when working.
Signing the regulations, Minister Ahern said: "Geraldine Larkin and her team in the PSA continue to pursue any security company that continues to operate illegally and they have my full support in doing so. These new regulations will go some way to assisting them in their task and I am satisfied that the regulations will benefit the industry as a whole and also increase consumer and public confidence in the industry. "
The introduction of the Identity Badge regulations brings into effect section 30 of the Act and the wearing of identity badges will become mandatory for licensed Door Supervisors and Security Guards from 1 September 2009. Licence holders will have a choice of two types of badge -
Ms. Geraldine Larkin, CEO
the licence card issued by the Authority with their licence or
a card provided by their employer which complies with the guidelines set down by the Authority.
Introduction of Identity Badges for Door Supervisors and Security Guards.
Following the signing of regulations by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern TD, all licensed door supervisors and security guards will be required to wear identity badges from the 1st September 2009. These new regulations bring in to effect section 30 of the Private Security Services Act 2004 and the Private Security Authority has already informed employers and others involved in the security industry of the requirement.
There are currently 24,884 individuals licensed to be employed as Door Supervisors and Security Guards throughout the country. Licensed individuals either work for a licensed security provider or in-house for a business not involved in the security industry such as a retail outlet.
Licence holders will have a choice of two types of badge - the licence card issued by the Authority with their licence or a card provided by their employer which complies with the guidelines set down by the Authority.
Licence holders who fail to wear the required identity badge may have their licence suspended or revoked and could face prosecution with fines of up to€3,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months or both. Individuals who have their licence suspended or revoked cannot engage in employment as a Door Supervisor or Security Guard.
The identity badge will contain the licence holders photo and licence number and will assist the Authority and the public in identifying illegal security providers. It will also assist the public in reporting on the conduct of licence holders who contravene the provisions of the Act or regulations made hereunder. The Private Security Authority is the statutory body with responsibility for licensing and regulating the private security industry in Ireland. The Authority was established following the passing of the Private Security Services Act in 2004 and started licensing contractors in 2006. The security sector plays an important role in the business life of the country with an industry wide turnover in excess of €1billion.
Two types of licence are issued by the Authority:
Contractor Licences are required by companies, partnerships and sole traders providing security services in the Republic of Ireland. Individual Licences 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 Authority currently licences contractors operating in the Door Supervisor (Licensed Premises), Installer (Intruder Alarm), Security Guard(Static), Security Guard (Monitoring) and Cash In Transit sectors. 780 contractors are currently licensed to provide security services in these sectors. The extension of licensing to other sectors will take place on a phased basis with CCTV and Event Security the next areas identified for regulation. The licensing of individuals working in the Door Supervisor (Licensed
Premises) and Security Guard (Static) sectors commenced in April 2007 and to date the Authority has received over 31,800 applications for a licence. Licences have issued to 24,884 individuals while another 5,733 applications have been refused or rejected.
Licences issued to individuals are backed by a recognised qualification which ensures that all those working in the industry have been trained to a high standard. In addition, all applicants are vetted with An Garda Síochána before any licence is issued. Applicants who have resided outside of Ireland for a period of six months or more are required to provide the Authority with a criminal record certificate from that jurisdiction.
The Authority maintains a register of both contractor and individual licence holders on its website. The registers are a useful tool for business and the public who can ensure that their security provider is licensed by checking the details on the register. Fines of up to €3,000 can be imposed on those who engage un-licensed security providers.
Irish Security Industry Association Ltd, A company limited by Guarantee and not having a Share Capital, Company Number 36632 VAT Registration No.14072480 Reg.Add: Security Centre, Unit 1 IDA Industrial Est., Balbriggan Co. Dublin, Ireland.
