I call for an increase in the income threshold limits to qualify for social housing. Many young people who contact me are getting no assistance whatsoever in this area. They are not earning enough money to be able to purchase a home of their own and in many cases are struggling to pay the rent. They are also just over the limit of the social housing guidelines.

To give the House an idea, in the part of the world I hail from, in Monaghan and Cavan, and in many other counties, the income threshold for a two-income household with two children is €33,000. These people are locked out of purchasing a home and in many cases they are struggling to pay the rent. According to the system, they are earning too much money to qualify for any social housing assistance. They are at the end of the road because there is simply no help for them.

The last time the thresholds were increased was back in January 2023. As we all know, the price of housing and of rent has increased significantly since then. I understand that the Minister, Deputy Browne, has a review ongoing in this area. The results of that are due shortly but it needs to happen as a matter of urgency. Many of these people are working on the minimum wage, which is currently at €28,600. They are struggling. They want to work but currently the system is not helping them out. We need to help those people who are working at slightly above the minimum wage, who qualify for nothing. Clearly, we cannot allow that to continue.

I ask the Acting Leader to arrange for the Minister to come to the House to debate this as a matter of urgency. We have to look after this cohort of people who are entitled to nothing. They are not entitled to social housing because they are classified as earning too much, but they are struggling to pay the rent and save for a mortgage as well. It is vital that we look after the people who are working in this country.

I would like to raise the opportunity that we have to realise the oversupply of wind energy across Ireland. As we know, at certain times, especially at night-time, there is an oversupply. Some €500 million worth of wind energy is wasted every year, which means a huge amount is left uncaptured. I am calling for consideration of grant supports for battery storage for residential units at night-time rates, perhaps at the EV rate. Where there is an oversupply of electricity, it provides a great opportunity for households to capture that oversupply so it is not wasted. That can reduce people's electricity bills.

It is a very simple concept. It has already been used in a smaller way by EnergyCloud, which is topping up people’s hot water tanks with a free fill because of oversupply. I do not see why the same could not be done on a greater scale through battery storage, which could lift the burden off people who are feeling under pressure. It is a practical proposal. I would welcome consideration of it by the Minister and the Government generally. It would be a very good concept to help ease the burden for people who are under pressure financially and would move away from the ongoing knee-jerk reaction to the cost-of-living measures to a longer form approach.

In my remaining time, I would like to acknowledge Pádraig O’Hora, who is just off the summit of Mount Everest at the moment, along with Éanna McGowan and Adam Sweeney. Pádraig is a Mayo man, a Ballina man, who is raising much-needed funds for Mayo Mental Health Association. They made their first attempt at the summit last night and are due to have another go this evening.

I am hosting guests from Network Ireland Mayo, including the president, Orla Bakeberg. I welcome them to Leinster House. It is great that they have come in just as I am concluding my contribution.