really frustrating searching for a rental property in dublin

The government have manufactured this situation and are useless so should be turfed out after the next election. But I wouldn't be making long term plans in Ireland if you can as the government are not making any meaningful efforts to change the rental situation and crash rents while increasing supply. The pandemic has really shown how our little country is really still a little country despite our illusions of big tech and finance grandeur.

The only thing to do with Daft in such a stressed environment is to log on multiple times per day with your saved search and email each ad indicating you are ready to view the place that same day. Make sure your English is spot on (I'm just judging from your OP so don't mean to cause any offence), convey that you are ready to move in and have a deposit and rent ready to go; specifically set out your job and the fact it is a permanent/full time role - I would be happy to proof read your cover letter if you want to send it by PM.

Blaming the government on the current situation is a pointless exercise IMHO. The opposition policies will mess it up even more. You'll be a long time waiting for a politician to suggest policies which might actually help - i.e. create more landlords, or more property lettings.

From a practical point of view, work on a reply email which outlines your positive attributes (good job, good job security, no pets, solid finances, good references, like gardening and reading etc). Set up alerts on Daft so you are ready to respond as soon as the ad goes online.

With so many people wanting properties coming up for rent (especially in the price point you are at), you have to stand out from the crowd. A LL with a 2 Bed letting in Dublin for less than 1700 will be getting a flood of responses. If you're initial pitch is sloppy, other potential tenants will outshine you.

Also try to talk to letting agents in the area you want. Sell yourself as an exceptional tenant to them. They will likely be the decision makers in a lot of cases.

Good luck. I know its not easy.

What would help the market would be to encourage investment companies to invest and build. But of course that wouldn't sit will with the current narrative that investment companies are evil.

Agree about speaking to the local Estate Agents in the area you'd like. If you approach them in the same way as you would with a recruitment agency when you go looking for a new job, ie. provide them with the relevant information and satisfy them that you are the best candidate for the property. They are acting on the landlords behalf and will shortlist the applicants who meet the landlords requirements. If you make a good impression on the EA they are more likely to recommend you to their client landlords. Good luck with your search.

There's 189 two-bed properties on Rent.ie for 2K or less? https://www.rent.ie/houses-to-let/renting_dublin/2_beds/rent_0-2000/