It is claimed two-thirds of renters are struggling to keep up with monthly repayments and are increasingly locked out of home ownership.
A new report from The Housing Agency also found that people are paying up to 40% of their monthly salary on their housing needs compared to 20% or 25% a number of years ago.
It also shows that a third of mortgage holders have problems meeting their repayments.
The findings of the survey will be discussed at the agency's annual conference today.
Housing Agency chief executive, John O'Connor, said: "There are people who in the normal course of events rent, but a few years ago were spending 20% or 25% of their income on rent but now find they're spending 40% of their income, particularly in Dublin.
"They are people who would probably have always rented but some would be aspiring to home ownership, but it's more difficult for them because they cannot save a deposit.
"That's the single biggest issue, because so much of your income is being used to pay rent, there's no surplus there to save."
The findings of the survey of 1,400 people will be revealed at the agency's annual conference today.
- Digital Desk
