Legislation to outlaw sex-for rent offers and to limit the use of counselling notes in sex offence trials has been approved by the Government. The approval of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill for publication comes four years after an investigation by the Irish Examiner into sex-for-rent practices in the private rented sector. Under the legislation, there will be two offences covering sex for rent — the offering of accommodation in exchange for sexual activity and the advertising of accommodation in exchange for sexual activity. According to the Department of Justice, “it is the offer or advertisement that is being criminalised — there is no requirement to prove that sexual activity occurred”. A penalty of up to €5,000 will be introduced through the legislation.

Source: Irish Examiner December 22, 2025 16:01 UTC