The Mid Western Health Board is conducting a survey on prostitution in the Limerick area.
A health board spokesman said it was aware of individual cases, but not the wider picture.
In some cases women might be in prostitution because of a lack of support at home.
The levels of prostitution are also seen as a major health issue because of the HIV and AIDS link.
Increased numbers have been attending the Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic at Limerick Regional Hospital. "This is a good thing, as it means that the matter is no longer taboo for people who want to come to the clinic," the spokesman added.
Social workers are urging local prostitutes to come forward, so they can establish the scale of the problem.
They say the survey is strictly confidential. It aims to find out the women's family circumstances, and ascertain how the health board can help them.