ICOS welcomes Oireachtas Committee’s recommendations to tackle ‘sex for rent’ exploitation

Press Release

The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) welcomes the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding the criminalisation of ‘sex for rent’, as outlined in its Report on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025.

The Committee’s report recognises the serious issue of sexual exploitation in the rental market and makes a number of key recommendations aimed at strengthening protections for those most at risk. ICOS welcomes the recommendation that a review be conducted to ensure the measures work as intended, along with the call for expanded protections and clearer rights for people in informal or licence type housing arrangements, where many international students are disproportionately represented.

ICOS also strongly supports the recommendation that the legislation include obligations for online platforms to strengthen the moderation and regulation of rental advertisements, along with a targeted public information campaign to raise awareness of the new offence and the supports available to victims and survivors.

Commenting on the report, ICOS Policy and Communications Manager, Brian Hearne, said:

‘International students are among the groups most vulnerable to housing exploitation. Many arrive in Ireland unfamiliar with the housing market, reliant on informal accommodation, and facing pressure in a crisis-driven housing market. The Committee’s recommendations acknowledge these realities and we look forward to working with the Committee and other stakeholders to close/tighten the legislative gap that predators have exploited for far too long. ICOS will continue to advocate for strong protections and clear pathways to support for all international students affected by housing exploitation.’

ENDS

For comment:

Brian Hearne, Policy and Communications Manager

 Email: bhearne@icosirl.ie