Housing costs are ranked as the number one concern for workers, according to a new survey.

The poll conducted by Dublin Chamber of Commerce found that half of all complaints to employers related to the cost and availability of finding a place to live.

Some 298 companies took part in the survey during the first 10 days of December, with firms making the case that the health of the economy depends on adequate supply of housing.

One in three stated that the cost of accommodation was now the most common concern voiced, with a further 14% saying that availability was their biggest problem.

Concerns around high personal taxation were the second most frequent cause for concern, with 23% of employers hearing about tax most often.

Childcare costs, traffic congestion and the cost of transport also cropped up.

Dublin Chamber of Commerce CEO Mary Rose Burke said:

"The survey shows that the housing shortage is being felt across the entire social spectrum.

"While much of the focus remains on the homelessness issue, the lack of affordable housing is now a big problem for workers in Dublin.

"An adequate supply of housing is crucial to the health of the economy, but a lack of building over the past decade has left a major shortfall in Dublin’s housing stock.

"These results highlight the need for the Government to show urgency in its response to the housing crisis.

"Dublin is always seeking to attract foreign direct investment and broaden its talent pool, but at the moment we are struggling to accommodate domestic demand. This will hamper business prospects if it is not properly addressed with an ambitious expansion in housing capacity."