Any attempt by accommodation providers to exploit their position and prey on vulnerable individuals through such 'sex for rent' arrangements is completely unacceptable. Such actions are an abuse of power, which will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, which I published on 6 May, includes measures to criminalise the exploitative practice of seeking sex in lieu of rent. It is proposed to introduce two specific criminal offences related to ‘sex for rent’: (i) offering accommodation in exchange for sexual activity and (ii) the advertising of accommodation for the same motivation.

The General Scheme of the Bill was referred to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting and to the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for pre-legislative scrutiny. The pre-legislative scrutiny hearing took place on 30 September 2025 and the Committee’s Report was published on 13 November 2025.

I received Government approval on Tuesday, 16th December 2025 to publish the Bill and I intend on introducing the legislation to the Houses of the Oireachtas early in 2026.