End to unregulated agents carrying out evictions

Nor will landlords be able to introduce personnel from outside the State at short notice, something that has been a feature of high profile evictions in recent years.

The Private Security Authority (PSA) has, instead, authorised any licensed security guard or “doorman” to undertake evictions, supported by laws permitting them to use force if necessary.

It will be a criminal offence to use any unlicensed personnel to carry out evictions.

Homeless charities have called on the Government to reverse its decision on the ban.

A spokesman for the Simon Communities of Ireland commented that it was “beyond disappointing” that the moratorium on evictions was being lifted before promising measures had been given a chance to take effect.

The Private Security Services (Amendment) Act 2021, which bans the use of unregulated agents for evictions came into effect almost two years ago, but key provisions of the legislation have not been activated and will not commence for some time.

The Act came in the wake of violence related to evictions and provides for “enforcement guards”, who are empowered to execute court orders and use force if necessary on behalf of landlords or financial institutions in cases of eviction and repossession.

“Work on the development of training requirements for employee licensing is currently under way,” the Department of Justice said of the new enforcement officer roles.

“A time frame for the licensing of enforcement guard employees will be announced later this year. In the meantime, the PSA has mandated that all enforcement guard employees hold a PSA licence in either the door supervisor or security guard sectors.”