Sinn Féin says the ongoing rental crisis is a ‘generational catastrophe.’
The latest report by Daft.ie shows rents nationwide have increased by 6.7% in the past year.
There were just 1,460 homes available to rent on November 1st – the lowest since records began in 2006.
In the Dáil, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald laid the blame at the Taoiseach’s door.
She said: "Your refusal to take urgent action means this crisis has become a generational catastrophe.
"Workers, families and young people can't afford these rents - they don't stand a chance."
The Taoiseach defended the Government's approach, saying the recently unveiled Housing for All strategy is a "most comprehensive and substantive" housing programme.
Micheál Martin said there's "no question" there is pressure on renters, but argued that increasing supply is the best way to address the problem.
He criticised Sinn Féin's policy proposals around rent as being "threadbare on any substance".
'Abject failure of Government policies'
Speaking on Lunchtime Live, Peter Dooley - co-founder of Dublin Renters' Union - said the housing situation is "our own full-blown humanitarian crisis".
He said: "It's not being addressed with any seriousness whatsoever by the Government.
"It's an absolute abject failure of Government policies that have led to the situation where we have spiralling rents, more people being forced into homelessness, and deepening inequality in society."
Peter said the last year has seen property prices increase exponentially, with many landlords now selling their properties.
He said: "We've been calling for the last number of years for a rent freeze... I know some political parties have followed the call, which is welcome.
"But unfortunately you have a Government that doesn't deal with the crisis in any seriousness - and renters have been treated like second-class citizens for too long in Ireland."
