Sex-for-rent adverts still online, says Cork senator

There are still adverts online from Irish people offering rental accommodation in exchange for sex, a Cork senator has said.

Labour senator Laura Harmon’s comments came as a Dáil debate took place last Thursday on the introduction of legislation to outlaw the practice.

The Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, introduced by justice minister Jim O’Callaghan, makes provision for offences relating to accommodation offered in exchange for sexual activity.

No progress

Ms Harmon, who last April tabled the Prohibition of Advertising or Importuning Sex for Rent Bill 2025 in the Seanad, said the Government’s legislation has to be progressed as quickly as possible.

“Here we are in a new year with no progress,” she said. 

“Minister O’Callaghan has made commitments to enact laws to stamp this practice out. Unfortunately, I’m aware that ads still exist online where people are clearly using the housing crisis to prey on vulnerable people living in insecure housing. It needs to stop, and it needs to stop now.”

Ms Harmon said a report from the National Women’s Council last year shone a light on just how prevalent the practice is.

“Marginalised women, particularly those at risk of homelessness, are being targeted by men who offer housing in return for sex. This is happening in modern Ireland — and it is a national disgrace.”

Completely unacceptable

Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, Mr O’Callaghan said that under the new legislation, the “sexually predatory behaviour”, will be an offence, with both offering a tenancy for sexual activity in lieu of payment, and advertising such arrangements, outlawed.

“I want to reiterate that any attempt by accommodation providers to exploit their position and prey on vulnerable individuals is a completely unacceptable abuse of power and will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said.

Disappointment

Discussing the bill, some Opposition TDs expressed disappointment that the it was being tabled as miscellaneous, meaning that a range of unrelated issues, including increasing prison capacity, and the use of counselling notes during trials, were all included.

More time was required to go through the issues in detail individually, they said, explaining that they had concerns about some of the issues while being in favour of others.

Labour’s Alan Kelly said bringing the bill forward in this manner was “crazy” and “not good practice”. However, he added that he was delighted to see the minister had “finally” come forward with legislation in relation to sex for rent.