PSA prosecutions follow Gorey and Courtown inspections

PSA inspectors turned their attention from Dublin 1 and 2 to Gorey and Courtown in County Wexford recently to find that all contractors providing door supervisor (licensed premises) services there were licensed and wearing ID badges as legally required. But only 85 per cent of individuals operating as door supervisors were themselves licensed. The PSA has commenced prosecutions against those found to be non-compliant.

Some 176 individuals in County Wexford are licensed to provide door supervision with a further 90 licensed to work in both security guarding and door supervision.

PSA Chief Executive Geraldine Larkin said of the County Wexford inspections that the compliance rate of contractors operating was excellent as was the wearing of ID badges by individuals.  However, the compliance rate of licensed individuals was disappointing.  Any individual found working without the relevant PSA licence will be prosecuted.
The security sector plays an important role in the business life of the country with an industry-wide turnover in excess of €1billion.

Nationally there are 6,198 licensed door supervisors, 16,734 security guards and 3,004 who are licensed to work in both sectors. The extension of licensing to other sectors will take place on a phased basis with CCTV, Access Control and Event Security the next areas identified for regulation.

The Authority maintains a register of both contractor and individual licence holders on its website, www.psa.gov.ie. These 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.