Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 605: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the relief funds offered to the USA in the aftermath of the disaster in New Orleans and surrounding areas following hurricane Katrina have been drawn down; if the funding will be drawn down during the current budgetary year; the budget heading from which such funds will be drawn; if any non monetary aid has been offered or drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24931/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The destructive power of hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding and damage to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast State area of the United States have had catastrophic effects on the lives and property of many thousands of communities, families and individuals.

In response to this humanitarian emergency, the Government has committed assistance of €1 million for the region affected by hurricane Katrina. Some €700,000 of this funding has been delivered via the Irish Red Cross, which is collaborating with the American Red Cross in the provision of humanitarian assistance to those most affected on the ground. The remainder of the pledge of assistance has been allocated to our embassy in Washington. Our ambassador and his staff will provide support to civil society organisations in the affected region, which are providing relief and recovery assistance to those most in need.

This funding will be drawn down fully in the current budgetary year. The funding to assist the victims of hurricane Katrina will not be drawn from the emergency humanitarian assistance budget line, subhead C. The funding will be sourced from within the overall bilateral aid programme, subhead B.

Ireland also offered material assistance through the EU civil protection co-operation mechanism, including ready-to-eat meals, tents and assistance with logistics and critical stress management. This offer of logistical assistance has not to date been taken up. The EU civil protection co-operation mechanism is working closely with USAID, the main US agency coordinating international assistance, to ensure that offers of assistance are matched with needs assessments to ensure a targeted and effectively delivered package of assistance.