1srelluc
Diamond Member
They arrive to a country beset by a years-long housing crisis and often respond to adverts in private Facebook groups.
Brazilian Ana Paula Viana came to Dublin in 2022 to study English and complete a master's degree. Like many students, she scanned listings on Facebook to find accommodation.
Ana, who had worked as a journalist in Brazil, responded to an ad for a single bedroom in the city centre.
"When I asked him for a price he said it wouldn't be necessary to pay if I slept in his bedroom a few times a week," she says.
The organisation recently carried out a survey which showed that one in 20 students had been propositioned in this way.
Laura Harmon, executive director of ICOS, said "urgent legislative action is needed" to address the issue.
Two bills designed to specifically outlaw it fell when the Dail (lower house of the Irish parliament) was dissolved ahead of an election last year.
The new minister for justice, Jim O'Callaghan, has said the government is "seeking to make offering sex for rent a specific criminal offence" and that work is ongoing between his department and the attorney general "on a suitable provision".
With average rents in Dublin around €2,500 (£2,064), up 4% on last year, and a shortage of rental properties, international students will continue to turn to social media to source accommodation.
First off, why you would go to Ireland to learn English?
And just like that, I’m suddenly a pro-immigrant housing provider.
The govt can't tax that so of course they take issue with it.
Oh wait, you thought they were making a moral stand to protect potential renters.
