The Minister for Justice Simon Harris has published the 2023-2025 Strategic Plan of the Private Security Authority.

The Private Security Authority (PSA) is an important body tasked with regulating the activities of those involved in the private security industry to ensure that the interests of consumers are fully protected through the establishment, promotion, monitoring and enforcement of appropriate standards.

As part of the Private Security Authority’s objective to raise the levels of professionalism across the security industry, the Minister welcomes the Authority’s commitment to delivering on the goal of our Third National Strategy on Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence which is zero tolerance for all forms of DSGBV in Irish society.

Minister Harris said, “the Private Security industry provides a range of important services across society that support personal safety and assist in crime prevention – from locksmiths, to the installation of security CCTV, to bar and nightclub bouncers. The central aim of the Private Security Authority Strategic Plan for the next three years, is to continue to protect consumers and the public by strengthening the regulatory environment in which the private security industry operates.”

“The PSA’s Plan for 2023 to 2025 will focus on the expansion of licensing, raising the levels of standards and qualifications, and improving communications with licence holders and the public. Over the next three years the PSA also intends to look at ways to increase female participation in the private security industry and, in addition, will examine whether or not regulation affects the ability of minority groups to access the industry, and if so, consider ways to mitigate against that.”

The Strategic Plan sets out five ambitious goals for the next three years. The PSA has committed to translating the Strategy into annual business plans with performance targets. These annual plans will be published and industry stakeholders will have an opportunity to advise on the external impact of measures taken to implement the Strategy.

Minister Harris continued, “overtime the lifetime of this Strategy, the PSA will commence regulation of employees in the electronic security, enforcement guard, event security and private investigator sectors and to contractors in the enforcement guard, security consultant and suppliers and installers of safes sectors. This will be significant for consumer protection, ensuring that those who are providing these security related services, do so to high, regulated standards.”

Paul Scallan, Chief Executive of the Private Security Authority commented, “during the course of the Strategic Plan we aim to complete the regulation of all sectors as mandated by the Oireachtas. As we approach this goal it is appropriate that we expand some of our other activities in the areas of research and licence holder liaison. The security industry has much to offer our society and as a regulator we aim to promote the benefits the industry has to offer. I look forward to working with all our industry partners over the next three years to make this Strategic Plan a success.”