Dad right with a place for a sponger (8)
I believe the answer is:
parasite
'for a sponger' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'dad right with a place' is the wordplay.
'dad' becomes 'pa' (both can mean one's father).
'right' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'place' becomes 'site' (synonyms).
'pa'+'r'+'a'+'site'='PARASITE'
(Other definitions for parasite that I've seen before include "Animal or plant that lives off another" , "mistletoe sprig can be" , "one who thrives on (or off) another" , "Twenty five dn [LEECH]" , "It lives off its host" .)