Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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87. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she intends to introduce legislation to prohibit sex-for-rent exploitation in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9415/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that this Government is deeply committed to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in all its forms.

The prioritisation of this hugely important work is evident in the policy and legislative developments implemented by this Government and those that are currently being progressed.

Let me be quite clear that any behaviour from accommodation providers seeking to use their position to prey on vulnerable people is completely unacceptable. It is an appalling abuse of power by unscrupulous individuals and it will not be tolerated by this Government.

I plan to address this abhorrent and exploitative behaviour by making the offering or advertising of accommodation for sex in lieu of rent a criminal offence.

My officials are working closely with the Office of the Attorney General to draft an amendment to criminalise this behaviour which is to be taken forward in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023 that is currently before the Houses. The Bill passed Committee Stage in November 2023 and it is intended that Report Stage will be scheduled in the coming weeks.