Record licensing figures at security watchdog
The annual report of the Private Security Authority (PSA) shows that a record number of 41,679 individuals held licences from the watchdog by the end of 2024.
This represented an increase from the 35,700 recorded in 2023.
The total number of licences, which includes individuals who may have licences in more than one regulated sector, jumped by almost 7,000 to a new record high of 50,636.
The report showed that 107 employee applications were refused in 2024, compared with 100 in 2023.
As in 2023, the main reasons for refusing applications were a failure to participate in the garda vetting process or the result of convictions disclosed after garda vetting.
New IT system
The authority, which regulates private security businesses, said that the growth in business “continues to exert demands on strained resources”.
In a foreword to the report, Jillian van Turnhout (chair) and John Phelan (chief executive) welcomed the start last year of work on a new IT system, but noted that completion was not expected until 2028.
“We will require additional resources to cope with demand in the interim, given the licensing volumes,” they wrote.
The number of contractors licensed fell slightly compared with last year to 1,389. There were 659 applications from contractors – down from 838 due to a two-year cycle that leads to a higher volume in odd years.
Turnover of licensed contractors grew by 6% during the year to almost €1.1 billion.
Prosecutions
The report shows that the PSA brought four successful prosecutions in the courts last year.
The prosecutions were against unlicensed companies working on the installation of powered gates and in the door-supervisor sector, and against an unlicensed individual operating in the door-supervisor sector.
In addition, seven contractors and 35 individuals had their licences revoked, while three contractors and six individuals had their licences suspended for a period.
The PSA received 751 intelligence reports during the year – a 27% increase on the previous year. It inspected 1,600 business premises during the year.
The PSA also extended licensing to individuals in the enforcement-guard sector, while it also continued work on developing two new standards – for suppliers or installers of safes, and a technical standard for installers of powered gates.