Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts that he is making to provide support to Japan since the occurrence of the recent tsunami; if he will consider a proposal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7398/11]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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One month on from the largest emergency in its post war history, Japan continues to respond to the effects of the devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck its north east coast on 11 March. At least 28,000 people have now been confirmed dead or missing, with approximately 170,000 people continuing to live in evacuation centres.

Japan has a long history of coping with natural disasters and has one of the best-developed systems of civil protection anywhere in the world. Procedures for dealing with emergencies are well-rehearsed and the country maintains stockpiles of supplies for deployment in case of a crisis. Nevertheless, once the scale of the crisis became apparent, and needs had been properly assessed, the country officially appealed for assistance from the European Union.

Ireland responded immediately to this appeal through the Government's decision to allocate €1 million to the Japanese Red Cross, which has been central to the emergency response operation. Ireland also offered Japan the use of emergency shelter, water and sanitation equipment from stockpiles in Dubai and Malaysia.

While at present many thousands of people remain in evacuation centres, the Government of Japan has developed plans to provide them with accommodation and has requested the housing industry to construct 30,000 temporary homes. Construction work has already begun in some prefectures. The Japanese authorities have also begun to identify vacant public housing across the country that can be used to accommodate those who have lost their homes. Temporary accommodation for up to 43% of the affected population has been identified in parts of the country which were not directly affected by the crisis.

Ireland remains ready to continue our support to the Japanese people in the coming days and weeks and in light of the needs identified by the Japanese authorities on the ground.