A blanket ban on tenants having pets in rental or social housing is set to be ended under the Government's National Housing Plan.
Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) will no longer be permitted to specify that pets are not allowed.
Animal charities have welcomed the move.
Dogs Trust said one of the main reasons people contact them is because they have to move to a new home where pets are not allowed.
The charity said it received 431 calls and emails last year from people in this "impossible" situation - at least one call or email per day.
It said this is a 112% increase over the last five years.
Policy Manager at Dogs Trust, Sarah Lynch said: "No one should have to choose between their dog or their home."
"A dog isn’t 'just a pet’ - they’re family," Ms Lynch said.
She called for this measure to be extended into private tenancy agreements.
Fine Gael TD Maeve O'Connell called the change a "welcome relief" to animal lovers.
Deputy O’Connell said the policy on AHBs was outdated and "put pressure on pet owners looking to rent".
"Many renters who love their pets have been put in a tough position when they get offered housing when they learn they cannot bring their pets with them," she said
"Nobody wants to face having to give up their pet."
