The number of recorded prostitution offences in the Republic of Ireland has jumped by more than 205% in the past year.
New crime figures from the Republic's Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that the number of offences increased from 37 in 2018 to 113 in 2019.
The spike comes after a new law which targets people using prostitutes was introduced in 2017.
The Republic's Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act expanded prostitution offences which includes paying for sexual activity with a prostitute and paying for sexual activity with a trafficked person.
The Act also decriminalises those working as a prostitute.
A review into the changes in legislation will be published this year.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said: “I note that gardai have carried out a number of days of action in 2019, under Operation Quest, to target the demand for sexual services and to enforce the law criminalising the purchase of sex and other related crime.
“The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, which established offences in relation to payment for sex, will be reviewed this year.
“This review will include consideration of the number of arrests and convictions in respect of the new offences, as well as an assessment of the impact of the Act on the welfare of those who engage in sexual activity for payment.
“I look forward to learning from the results of that review.”
