The Cabinet has agreed a short extension to the ban on rent increases and evictions.
Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien is due to bring a memo to Cabinet on Monday next and is said to be "working with Department officials and the Attorney General on long-term solutions for renters".
Minister O'Brien said, "I have been clear in my desire to see the rent freeze and eviction moratorium extended. However, I am very aware that there are legal implications for doing so."
The Minister said he wanted to have legislation "enacted prior to the Dáil recess".
It comes as the Dáil heard that the impact of high rents on people is immense with some having to choose between rent, heat and food.
Introducing the Ban on Rent Increases Bill 2020, Sinn Féin TD Eoin O'Broin said rents are too high and there are too many people paying too much money to keep a roof over their heads.
He said that since the Government's housing strategy, Rebuilding Ireland was introduced in 2016, rents across the country have increased by 40%.
He said average asking rates are now €1,400 per month and he said rents have increased by 70% in Dublin with asking rents there now at €2,000 per month.
Deputy O'Broin said Covid-19 had shifted the debate onto emergency measures, but he said "deeper structural issues" remain.
He said some people were having to put off having children or buying a home.
Deputy O'Broin said given the anxiety among renters it was "astonishing" that the Cabinet had made a decision on extending the ban on rent increases but had yet to announce it.
He said the bill he was introducing today would seek to ban all rent increases for existing and new tenancies for a period of three years.
