PSA Announces Fee Reduction for Contractors

The Private Security Authority (PSA), following approval by the Minister for Justice and Equality, has introduced a new fee structure for contractor licensing. The new structure which is effective from the 1st January 2013 sees reductions in fees across a range of areas including a reduction of 55% for new businesses starting up in the security industry and a 45% reduction for contractors whose turnover is €300,000 or less. 

The administration fee of €1,000 remains unchanged, but the turnover fee has been reconfigured as follows: 

• Fee for turnover below €10 is being reduced from €1,250 to zero. 
• Fee for contractors with a turnover from €10 up to and including €300,000 is being reduced from €1,250 to €250. 
• For contractors operating in multiple sectors of the security industry the turnover fee will now be calculated on their combined turnover across all sectors. Currently, contractors pay a turnover fee for each sector they operate in. 
• Licensed contractors seeking to add a new sector to an existing licence will pay a turnover fee based on their combined turnover and calculated in relation to the duration of the existing licence which has expired. 

The new fees mean that 590 of the 780 contractors currently licensed will see a reduction in their fees when they next renew their licence. In addition, the PSA estimate that 280 contractors will be due refunds as a result of backdating the new fees to the 1st January 2013. The PSA is commencing the processing of refunds immediately and is expected that all those entitled to a refund will receive this by the 16th August 2013. 

For further information and for details of how to claim a refund please visit http://www.psa.gov.ie.