Section 2 of the Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, sets out the activities which are licensable by the Private Security Authority. The activities are:
- Door Supervisor
- Installer of Security Equipment
- Locksmith
- Private Investigator
Enforcement Guard
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 definitions of what is licensable for each sector are prescribed by regulations signed by the Minister for Justice. The following are a synopsis of each definition. The relevant regulation (S.I.) is quoted if you wish to obtain the full legal definition.
A Door Supervisor (Event Security) licence is required where a contractor provides any of the following functions at, in or in the vicinity of any premises or any other place where a public or private event or function is taking place or about to take place –
- controlling, supervising, regulating or restricting entry to the premises or place,
- controlling or monitoring the behaviour of persons therein for the purposes of event security,
- removing persons therefrom because of their behaviour. (S.I. 302 of 2014)
A Door Supervisor (Licensed Premises) licence is required where a contractor provides security services as a door supervisor at or in the vicinity of a licensed premises. A licensed premises is defined as:
- premises licensed under the Public Dance Halls Acts,
- premises licensed under the Gaming and Lotteries Acts,
- a club registered under the Registration of Clubs Acts,
- food premises, or a food stall or food vehicle, within the meaning of the Food Hygiene Regulations. (S.I. 144 of 2012)
A Security Guard (Alarm Monitoring) licence is required where a contractor monitors security equipment which consists of a continuously manned remote centre to which information concerning the status of one or more alarm systems is reported. (S.I. 190 of 2014)
A Security Guard (CCTV Monitoring) licence is required where a contractor monitors security equipment which consists of a continuously manned remote centre to which information concerning the status of one or more cctv systems is reported. (S.I.190 of 2014)
A Security Guard (Event Security) licence is required where a contractor provides security services that involves the provision of patrols or other protective services in relation to persons or property in any premises or any other place where a public or private event or function is taking place or about to take place, including the controlling, supervising, regulating, restricting and directing the movements of persons at an event of function. (S.I. 302 of 2014)
A Security Guard (Static) licence is required where a contractor guards property for the purposes of preventing loss, damage or waste by crime, fire, carelessness or flood. (S.I. 144 of 2012)
An Installer of Security Equipment (Installation and Maintenance of Intruder Alarm) licence is required where a contractor installs, maintains, repairs or services security equipment that consists of electronic or other devices which warn of an unauthorised presence or of entry or attempted entry on or in the vicinity of the premises where such equipment is situated. (S.I. 144 of 2012)
Maintainer of security equipment (Intruder Alarm) means a person who maintains, repairs or services electronic or other devices which warn of an unauthorised presence or of entry or attempted entry on or in the vicinity of premises where such equipment is situated but who, on and from 1 August 2006, is not an installer of security equipment (Installation and Maintenance of Intruder Alarm). (S.I. 144 of 2012)
An Installer of security equipment (CCTV) licence is required where a contractor installs, maintains, repairs or services security equipment that consists of electronic or other devices, which through visual images, warns of, monitors or records potential or actual unauthorised entry or misconduct on or in the vicinity of premises where such equipment is situated. (S.I. 144 of 2012)
An Installer of security equipment (Access Control) licence is required where a contractor installs, maintains, repairs or services security equipment that consists of electronic or other devices designed, constructed or adapted to control or record access by persons or vehicles to or within premises where such equipment is situated. (S.I. 144 of 2012)
A Private Investigator licence is required where a contractor in the course of a business, trade or profession conducts investigations into matters on behalf of a client and includes a person who:
- obtains or furnishes information in relation to the personal character, actions or occupation of a person,
- obtains or furnishes information in relation to the character or kind of business in which a person is engaged,
- searches for missing persons,
- obtains or furnishes information in relation to the loss or damage of property. (S.I. 195 of 2015)
An Enforcement Guard licence is required where a contractor provides Enforcement Guard services. You must hold the appropriate PSA licence if you:
- remove people from any premises or place in order to take possession of the premises or place,
- control, supervise or restrict entry to any premises or place in order to take possession of the premises or place,
- seize goods or other property in lieu of an outstanding debt.