NATIONAL SECURITY
National security and intelligence is a responsibility of An Garda Síochána. The role of the Security & Intelligence Section is to identify and analyse any threat to the State from terrorists and organised crime gangs. The section is divided into 2 sub-sections dealing with intelligence in relation to both terrorism and organised crime. It supports operational units in the force by providing intelligence leads relative to both areas.
PRIVATE SECURITY
Businesses in the private security sector range from small to medium Irish indigenous companies and large multinationals providing security services in areas such as guarding property, cash in transit, event security, alarm installation and CCTV monitoring, security consultancy.
There are over 27,000 licensed individuals and 800 contractors operating as as private security guards, night club bouncers, hotel and pub doormen, private investigators, installers of security equipment and locksmiths, among other roles.There is a wide range of work available within the private security business. Positions are available for static security persons, who protect and guard banks and premises such as retail stores from the risk of theft, and monitor security surveillance cameras, or cash in transit operatives and install CCTV systems. Other security roles include doormen, door supervisors or bouncers in bars and night clubs, locksmiths and private investigators.
Security personnel need to be in good health and in good physical condition. Security Guards are required to be alert and vigilant at all times. Remaining cool and being able to handle conflict well are attributes that private security companies look for. Much of the work is carried out during anti-social hours as most buildings need to be guarded at night-time.
Training for the Private Security Industry
Until recently, there were no set qualifications required to work in the private security business and most companies trained their own people on the job. The Private Security Authority (PSA) is the statutory body responsibile for licensing and regulating the industry in Ireland. It now sets out the minimum training requirements for persons working as employees in the sector:
| Category | Minimum Training Requirement |
| Security Guard (Static) | Guarding Skills QQI Level 4 Minor Award (4N1118) or equivalent. |
| Door Supervisor (Licensed Premises) | Door Security Procedures QQI Level 4 Minor Award (4N1114) or equivalent. |
| Cash-in-Transit | Employer provided prescribed training |
Applicants applying to the PSA for their first licence must have obtained the prescribed training within 36 months prior to the lodging of their application. Training undertaken outside the 36 month period will not be acceptable for licensing purposes.
Further information is available on the PSA website - See Information Note on Duration of Qualifications.
The PSA does not run training courses, award qualifications or provide funding for training. Courses are provided by registered training providers validated by QQI. Only courses or programmes validated by QQI are accepted by the PSA.
There are a number of training courses for jobs in the security industry, e.g Door Security Procedures available through SOLAS. See SOLAS course search.
Further education colleges in several counties also offer Level 5 and Level 6 courses in areas such as Security Studies and Security Operations. A course search is available here. See also 'Education and Training' menu on this page
PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS
A Private Investigator conducts investigations into matters on behalf of a client. They may be contracted to obtain or furnish such information as:
- The personal character, actions or occupation of a person
- The kind of business in which a person is engaged
- To search for missing persons
- The loss or damage of property.
The regulation of Private Investigators came into effect from the 1st November 2015. Contractors providing any of these services are now required to have a licence, as well as people who provide services as debt collectors, tracing agents, summons servers, loss assessors /adjusters, security consultants or other occupations where part of their activities fall within the new legal definition of private investigation. Full details are available here [PDF].
