The Private Security Authority (Register of Users)
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Last updated February 2020
Yes. The Private Security Authority currently requests individuals (employees) who apply for a licence to include their PPSN on their application form. Contractors are requested to provide their Revenue Registered Number (RRN) on their application form. In respect of sole traders the RRN and the PPSN can be the same number.
The Private Security Authority which was established pursuant to the Private Security Services Act's 2004 & 2011 is the statutory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the Irish private security industry. The Authority is currently licensing individuals providing a security service in the Door Supervisor (Licensed Premises), Security Guard (Static) and Cash-in-Transit sectors. To apply to the Authority for a licence in the above security sectors an individual must complete a licence application form for the respective category of licence. The individual's PPSN is used as a unique identifier to distinguish between licence applications received.
The Authority is also licensing contractors providing a security service in the following sectors:
To apply to the Authority for a licence in the above security sectors a sole trader must complete a licence application form for the respective category of licence. The sole trader’s RRN is a unique identifier to distinguish between licence applications received and also confirms that the sole trader is registered with the Revenue Commissioners.
The Authority has engaged with an external company to scan licence application forms and issue licences to individuals (employees) on behalf of the Private Security Authority. A contract has been signed with this external provider and has been reviewed by the Authority’s Audit Committee with no issues arising.
The Authority may disclose a sole traders RRN?? or an individual's PPS number on occasion to An Garda Síochána (upon receipt of a written request in accordance with the relevant section of the Data Protection Act) in connection with their enquiries. The Authority may disclose a sole traders RRN or an individual's PPS number on occasion to the Revenue Commissioners (a memo of Understanding exists between the PSA and the Revenue Commissioners) in connection with their enquiries.
The Authority has disclosed PPS numbers to the Department of Social Protection (Central Control Section) on request (a memo of Understanding exists between the PSA and the Department of Social Protection).
The Authority is licensing the Irish security industry on a phased basis. In due course when the Authority commences licensing new security sectors, sole traders and individuals will have to complete a licence application form to apply to the Authority for a licence for that particular sector.
The Private Security Authority is an agency of the Department of Justice & Equality. Therefore, the Authority is subject to yearly audits by the Internal Audit Unit of the Department of Justice & Equality and the Comptroller and Auditor General's Office. No issue has been raised in respect of inefficient security measures concerning the security, accessibility or processing of personal data.