The Private Security Authority is concerned that applicants are not providing us with full information when completing application forms. Of particular concern is the failure of applicants to disclose criminal convictions on the Garda Vetting Form. The Authority has come across a number of cases recently where applicants indicated on the vetting form that they had no convictions and the subsequent vetting results showed serious convictions. In all of these cases the applicants had been provided with acknowledgement letters which had allowed them to work. The current practice of issuing acknowledgement letters puts the safety and welfare of the public at risk. The Authority has decided to change the conditions under which acknowledgement letters may issue.
From the 1st July 2010 the Private Security Authority will no longer automatically issue letters allowing applicants to work while their application is being processed. Letters will now only issue where the applicant indicates on the Garda Vetting Form that they have no convictions and where the applicant has an offer of employment. The new letters will be employer specific and will include the name of the employer to whom it applies. If an applicant changes employment during the application process they will require a new letter for their new employer.
Where an applicant indicates on the Garda Vetting Form that they have no convictions and subsequently the vetting results show a conviction, the application will be refused.
Under these new arrangements applicants will only receive an acknowledgement letter allowing them to work in the following circumstances:
The applicant works for a licensed contractor and the applicant has declared on the Garda Vetting Form that he has never been convicted of an offence.
or The applicant works for an employer known to the PSA (retailers, shopping centres, hotels, etc) and the applicant has declared on the Garda Vetting Form that he has never been convicted of an offence.
or The applicant has a letter from an employer confirming that he has an offer of employment and the applicant has declared on the Garda Vetting Form that he has never been convicted of an offence.
If you have any enquiry on this or any other issue relating to the licensing process please contact us at
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.
