What's Licensable?
Section 2 of the Act, as amended, sets out the activities which are licensable by the PSA. These comprise:
- Door Supervisor
- Installer of Security Equipment
- Private Investigator
- Provider of Protected Forms of Transport
- Security Consultant
- Security Guard Supplier and Installer of Safes
For licensing purposes the PSA has divided these activities into sub-sectors. For example the Installer of Security Equipment sector has been divided into three sub-sectors, Access Control (Installation and Maintenance), CCTV (Installation and Maintenance) and Intruder Alarm (Installation and Maintenance).
The PSA has taken a phased approach to the licensing of contractors with 10 sectors currently licensed. The roll out of licensing to the remaining sectors will take place during 2015 and 2016.
The definitions of what is licensable for each sector are prescribed by regulations signed by the Minister for Justice and Equality and a synopsis of each definition is available on the PSA website at www.psa-gov.ie
Licensing Requirements
Contractors already licensed by the PSA and those seeking a licence for the first time must comply with the relevant Licensing Requirement Document, as shown below:
Installer of Electronic Security Systems -
- Intruder Alarms - PSA74:2019 + IS EN 50131-1 + IS EN 50131-7
- CCTV – PSA74:2019 + PSA 2006:12
- Access Control – PSA74:2019
Door Supervision and Security Guarding - PSA28:2013
CCTV Monitoring & Alarm Monitoring Centres - PSA33:2014
Event Security – PSA39:2014
Private Investigator - PSA42:2015
For those Contractors applying for a licence for the first time under either PSA28:2014 or PSA39:2014, then separate ‘Phase I’ requirements are detailed in a separate Licensing Requirement, PSA31:2014. There are no ‘Phase I’ requirements for either PSA74:2019, PSA33:2014 or PSA42:2015.
Certification Bodies
Only Certification Bodies approved by the PSA may provide certification services for licensing purposes. Contractors should check the PSA webpage, https://www.psa-gov.ie/auditing-bodies/, for a list of approved Certification Bodies. SSAIB is approved by the PSA to offer certification services and we shall be pleased to assist Contractors seeking certification against any of the above Licensing Requirements.
For more information download a leaflet or request an information pack using the links below, or contact our office directly.
For further information you can request an information pack by emailing ssaib@ssaib.co.uk
PSA
The Private Security Authority (PSA) is the statutory body with responsibility for licensing and regulating the private security industry in Ireland. The PSA is an independent body under the aegis of the Department of Justice and Equality. Established following the passing of the Private Security Services Act in 2004, the PSA started licensing security contractors in 2006 and security employees in 2007.
The PSA in accordance with the Private Security Services Acts 2004 and 2011 has the following statutory mandate:
- Granting and renewing licences.
- Issuing identity cards to licensees.
- Suspending and revoking licences.
- Establishing and maintaining a register of licensees.
- Specifying standards to be observed in the provision of security services.
- Specifying qualifications or requirements for the granting of licences.
- Undertaking or commissioning research projects and activities necessary for the planning, development and provision of t those services.
- Investigating security services being provided by any person.
- Establishing and administering a system of investigation and adjudication of complaints.
- Monitoring the provision of private security services generally.
- Liaising with licensees.
- Advising the Minister for Justice and Equality on any matters relating to the above functions and keeping the Minister informed of developments that would assist in developing policy.