Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
1483. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice if private security staff carrying out an eviction of a tenant from their property should be registered with the Private Security Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20227/21]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have just published the Private Security Services (Amendment) Bill 2021, following approval by Government. This legislation will allow the Government to bring the regulation and licensing of security personnel assisting those enforcing court orders for evictions and repossessions within the remit of the Private Security Authority(PSA).
The Bill reflects the recommendations of the Working Group established to examine the steps necessary to bring such personnel within the remit of the PSA. The main provision of the Bill is the insertion of an additional category and a definition of ‘enforcement guard’ in the list of security services covered by the Private Security Services Act 2004. This will require enforcement guards to obtain a licence to operate and ensure that they are subject to the training standards and licensing regime operated by the PSA.
