We will be meeting the Minister later about the issues we raised last week, when we lifted the lid on the prevalence of sex for rent in the housing crisis. I wish to put on the Dáil record that we have had many more disclosures. In particular, three women in the housing assistance payment, HAP, sector have contacted me about their situations.

It is clear that when we have predominantly female, young and vulnerable people seeking scarce accommodation, such as in the HAP sector, the prevalence of exploitation of all kinds, including sexual, will increase. "Kirsty" spoke out in The Irish Times today. It is particularly sinister that an estate agent, with such power to evict people or give them accommodation, is engaging in sexual harassment. We have uncovered information from many women concerning their experiences, including receiving comments about their bodies, discouragement of boyfriends, offers of dinner, and getting drunken texts late at night. The housing crisis is creating a perfect storm for predatory landlords. That is particularly the case in the HAP sector. It is the basis for social housing and it is dangerous to give private landlords such control over vulnerable women and children.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue again. It is true that many people are vulnerable and in housing insecurity because not enough homes are yet being built to meet demand. This year, we introduced significant new protections for tenants. That is important, as is noting that the majority of people in the rental sector have safety and security in their homes. I agreed to our meeting later since we last spoke. I have also been in touch with my counterpart in the UK and I have been told that legislation in this area is dealt with there by the Home Office. I had discussions with the Minster for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, as well regarding what legislative vehicles exist to protect people.

Where a person is a tenant, protections exist in the context of the Residential Tenancy Board, RTB, and the new powers we have recently given that body. Where a person runs into difficulties with letting agents, as described in today's newspapers, he or she can take that issue to the Property Services Regulatory Authority, PSRA. The Minister for Justice and Equality and I continue to consider this issue to see what further protections might be put in place. I ask the Deputy to bring any specific information she may have gathered in the past week to our meeting later.

As I said to her colleague at the housing committee, however, it is wrong to link this issue to a housing support such as HAP. Doing so risks putting people in more vulnerable situations because they might refuse to use HAP. Landlords might also refuse to accept it. People would, therefore, be at greater risk of going into homelessness. We are taking this issue seriously and I look forward to our further engagement later.