An Irish website for tradesmen is joining forces with the Private Security Authority (PSA), the Republic’s regulator, to help set alarm bells ringing about unlicensed companies.
Onlinetradesmen.com matches jobs to accredited trades people and builders, and has a register of over 11,000 professionals nationwide. To date the onlinetradesmen.com service has processed in excess of 180,000 home improvement and building jobs in Ireland.
The PSA is the statutory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the Irish private security industry which includes companies offering private security services, also alarm installers and monitoring companies, which must by law be licensed by the PSA.
Geraldine Larkin, Chief Executive of the Private Security Authority, says: “We are setting up a partnership with onlinetradesmen.com to help people find fully licensed alarm installers for their homes and commercial offices. This on-line service allows users to access qualified tradesmen, builders, architects and service providers. Through this partnership we will provide the public with up-to-the-minute details of licensed alarm installation and monitoring companies in their area; giving them the green light to hire licensed firms at the click of a mouse.”
By choosing a licensed firm, consumers can ensure they get a company which has been rigorously vetted by the PSA and the Gardaí [Irish police]. By hiring an unlicensed firm, householders are committing a crime and could face a fine of up to euros 3,000, plus five years in jail.
Similarly, a person found guilty of providing security services without a licence is liable to a fine of up to euros 3000, up to 12 months in prison or both.
“The Onlinetradesmen.com service enables property owners to submit details of any building or home improvement project and receive replies, start dates and previous customer reviews from available professionals in their area – all from the comfort of their PC,“ says Ted Laverty, Managing Director of Onlinetradesmen.com. “ We see our partnership with the PSA as a critical part of our strategy to highlight the need for property owners to only use accredited trade professionals.”
About the PSA
Based in Tipperary town, the PSA reports that it is engaged in a nationwide trawl of the security sector for illegal operators. This sweep is not just concentrated on alarm installation companies but covers other private security providers.
This year six contractors have been prosecuted and fined euros 10,400 for providing unlicensed installer (Intruder alarm) and security guard (static) services.
