Students Turn Tricks to Pay for College

DUBLIN, IRELAND -- Escort agencies are encouraging Irish students to turn to prostitution to fund increasingly costly college lifestyles, which in some cases are estimated at almost $10,000 (€7,000) a year.

According to the Irish Independent, one student confirmed he was working as an escort to fund his way through college and was earning from €160 for an hour to €500 (about $200-$700) for a 12-hour overnight stay.

Students as young as 18, are selling their services on the internet forum "Escort Ireland Network" and could earn a potential $2,800 a week, according to an agency.

One student, who did not want his name to appear in the paper, says he got involved through another friend who was also on the game. 21-year-old 'Alan' only deals with gay men and says he had been working as a male prostitute for the past three years as a way to fund his studies.

Irish Education Minister Mary Hanafin said she was "appalled" that any young person would turn to prostitution and pointed out there was assistance available for students with financial difficulties.

President of the Union of Students (USI), Richie Morrisroe, said the shortfall in financial support available to students were driving students into prostitution.

"It really is shocking. It's really sad that people are turning to prostitution," said Mr Morrisroe.

"It's definitely a concern. But I can understand why people feel they have to turn to something like this. It is extremely expensive to manage all of the expenses that come with going to college," he said.