Bríd Smith Demands Answers on PSA Rule Change Blocking Pay Rise
Bríd Smith raised concerns about a Private Security Authority rule change that she says has blocked an employment regulation order (ERO) affecting the security industry. She argued the change is preventing a pay rise due to 15,000 security workers and demanded to know who ordered the change.
Key issue
Bríd Smith pressed why the Private Security Authority (PSA) altered licensing rules to remove a stipulation that security firms must adhere to an employment regulation order (ERO) and asked for an explanation of why that change was made.
Workers affected
She said the security industry is low-pay and precarious and represents 15,000 workers who are due a pay rise for the last two years. Smith said a security company has gone to the High Court, which is stopping the ERO on wages from proceeding.
Previous attempts to get answers
Smith told colleagues this was the second time in a month she had raised the matter and that she had received no answer from the Department or from the Tánaiste previously.
Response and accountability
A member responding in the debate said they did not know the answer and that it was not them who changed the rules. They noted the PSA falls under the Department of Justice and said they would ask Minister Harris and her team to provide an answer within a week.
Outstanding questions
Smith asked specifically who ordered the PSA rule change and why the stipulation requiring firms to adhere to the ERO was removed, seeking a clear explanation and accountability from the Department of Justice and Minister Harris.
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This is the second time in a month I have had to raise this and still got no answer from the Department or from the Táneiste, I think it was the last person I raised it, and I want to ask you today why it is, and you just mentioned employment regulation orders in relation to childcare, there is an employment regulation order in relation to the security industry, which is a low pay precarious industry representing 15,000 workers, where a security company has prevented an employment regulation order on wages going ahead. Not a king's ransom, but 15,000 workers are due a pay rise for the last two years, and the employment regulation order going through the High Court is stopping them. I know we have no control over the High Court, but what we do have control over is the private security authority, the PSA, which changed the rules around licensing security firms and removed a stipulation that all such firms must adhere to the ERO. My question, a very simple question, is why was that done, who ordered it, and an explanation as to why the PSA changed the rules around the ERO. It is all jargony, but you know what I mean, because you are in that department, and we need an answer. Thank you Deputy, we are over time, please. Seesha. Thanks Deputy, it is a fair question. I do not know the answer. I do know it was not me, but I do not know the answer, and the PSA falls under the Department of Justice. So I will ask Minister Harris and her team to go back to you within the next week with an answer on that. Thank you Deputy Michael McIntyre. Thank you Deputy. You
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