Young women turn to us site

THE number of cash-strapped students turning to “sugar daddy dating” to pay their way through college has more than doubled in four years, it has been claimed.

Controversial Us-based dating service Seekingarrangement.com says 10,000 Irish students are now on their books, with UCD topping the list with 601 members.

The figures represent a sharp surge since 2013 when the overall number of so-called “sugar babies” across all colleges in Ireland who had signed up stood at 4,464.

Data from the company reveals Trinity College Dublin and DIT are also strong recruiting grounds, with 585 and 581 members registered up to June this year.

However, it remains unclear exactly how many student members actively use the service, which matches attractive young women with wealthy and usually much older men.

The contentious dating service, which has been frequently panned as a seedy playground for ageing adulterers, was brought into the spotlight in recent weeks by Irish TV star Vogue Williams.

In an RTE documentary the 32-year-old hit out at the website, particularly after meeting a vulnerable 19-year-old virgin in Dublin who had entered into a sugar daddy arrangement.

The Dubliner also revealed she was offered €20,000 to go on a date after creating a profile on the site.

But bosses insist they are creating “mutually beneficial” relationships, which give female students the means to complete their college courses and pay off student loans.

Spokeswoman Alexis Germany said: “We are not surprised by the increase in student sugar babies.

“Sugar dating is a way for students to get the money they need for school without dedicating precious study hours to low-paying part-time jobs.”