Independent TD Brian Stanley has raised the plight of renters during Leaders Questions as the Dáil returned for the first time in two months.
He said rents have been rising for eight quarters in a row in Co Laois while notices to quit are also on the increase ahead of changes to rental rules next March.
Mr Stanley raised the case of a couple who are just over the income limit for social housing, who have children and have been living in private rented acomadation for nine years.
"Four months ago, the landlord told them the rent was going up 50%. He did that the first week in June and he knew what he was doing because on the 20th of June the 2% cap came in," Mr Stanley said.
He said their income is less than €40,000 per year, and they have no access to social housing, cost rental or affordable housing.
He added some workers are paying half of their income on rent.
Mr Stanley said vacant posession is easy for landlords and he asked the Taoiseach will he halt the plans to introduce "a complete free-for-all in relation to new tenancies and will the Government ramp up the supply of cost rental and afforable housing?"
The Taoiseach said they were not creating a free-for-all and they are creating a national rent pressure zone "but the bottom line is we need more supply of houses".
He said a 50% rent increase " sounds illegal to me".
