I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 107 together.
The Private Security Authority (PSA), established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, is the statutory body responsible for the licensing and regulation of the private security industry. The PSA, an independent body under the remit of my Department, has adopted a phased approach to licensing and currently licences in the region of 960 contractors and 28,000 individuals in a range of sectors including Cash In Transit, Door Supervisor and Security Guarding.
I am aware of concerns at the modus operandi of some private investigators, as indicated by recent court cases taken by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. I am informed by the Authority that in preparation for the licensing of this particular sector, the PSA issued a questionnaire to gather information on the scope of the private investigator sector. The results of this consultation have now laid the foundations for the development of licensing in the area. Furthermore, the Authority's Strategic Plan 2014-2017 provides for the completion of a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on the licensing of private investigators. I am also informed by the Authority that this RIA is now at an advanced stage of development and will be completed before the year end. The Strategic Plan also provides for the licensing of contractors in the private investigator sector by the end of 2015 and the licensing of individuals in 2016.