Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
490. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the expected timeframe for when the private security agency sector will finish the development of training and standards for enforcement officers as per the Private Security Services (Amendment) Act 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59104/21]
View answerThe Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, is responsible for the licensing and regulation of the private security industry in the State.
The Authority is an independent statutory body under the aegis of my Department and I have no involvement in the day-to-day operations of the Authority.
Following the enactment of the Private Security Services (Amendment) Act 2021, which provided for the regulation of enforcement guards, the Authority established a working group to develop the requirements for licensing. The working group, comprising representatives of security industry employees and employers, An Garda Síochána, auditing bodies, training providers and security contractors will develop the necessary standards and training.
The initial focus of the working group has been on the requirements for contractors working as enforcement guards and the working group has developed a standard for the sector which is expected to go to public consultation later this week.
The work on the training requirements for employees has begun, however this work is more complex and will take some time to complete.
The training course will be accredited by Quality Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and form part of the National Framework of Qualifications.
I am advised by the Authority that it is their intention to licence contractors working in the sector in the first quarter of 2022 using the new standard.
A decision on whether to licence employees at the same time using an existing licence category pending completion of the training development is currently under consideration.
