Security firms fail to sign up to industry standards
Hundreds of security companies have so far failed to sign up to strict new standards for the industry, it emerged today.
If the companies do not reach the required standard by April next year they will not be allowed to provide guarding services for bars, nightclubs and industry.
The Private Security Authority (PSA), which was launched in July said so far only 25% of the estimated 400 companies in the industry had applied for the required standard.
“These standards will take work so there’s a lot of in-house work to be done before they can achieve that standard and get a licence,” said chief executive, Geraldine Larkin.
“If they don’t have a licence by April 1 they are liable for prosecution and the penalties range from fines of €3,000 to imprisonment for five years.”
The security industry had campaigned for the introduction of the PSA and its strict licensing standards to eliminate the criminal element in the security business and to force out operators who are paying workers below the minimum wage.
Ms Larkin said the companies had been told about the requirement and needed to abandon their head in the sand attitude.
She urged them to make contact with the body which certifies the security guarding standards, such as the National Standard Authority of Ireland, immediately.
Once the PSA has completed its licensing of companies in the guarding sector, it plans to develop standards and licenses for a range of other sectors in the industry, including cash in transit deliveries, alarm installers and private investigators.
