Liz O'Donnell TD

Current Projects

• Chernobyl Children’s Project International.

  I am a member of the Board of Directors of CCPI. This organisation is primarily dedicated to the humanitarian response to poverty and ill health of children and young adults in Belarus and Ukraine, both areas devastated and contaminated by radiation following the nuclear explosion 25 years ago at the Chernobyl site.

  Adi Roche and her volunteers have for twenty five years been working to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the economic social and health impact of the explosion.

  The projects, which are funded in part by the Irish Gov. Involve, rest and recuperation of thousands of children from the affected regions in Ireland. De institutionalisation of those children and young adults by the building of Homes of Hope. A major cardiac programme which provides life saving operations on babies and young children with a syndrome called Chernobyl heart, a defect linked to radiation.

  Thousands of children have loving families here in Ireland via the various outreach groups, who host children and raise funds for the rehabilitation of accommodation for the children in Belarus.

  Next year, CCPI with mark the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl explosion.

  www.chernobyl-international.com

  
  
• Fit for Work? Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Irish Labour Market.

  Public Affairs Advocate for this project in Ireland. This report was part of a European wide research project which looked at the incidence and effect of MSDs on the labour force capacity in various countries including Ireland.
  MSDs are the number one cause of work absence in Ireland. Artritis Ireland partnered with the Work Foundation to carry out the research in Ireland and the project overall is funded by Abbott Healthcare. The report contains significant suggestions for reform in terms of health and social welfare policy and labour force participation see. Link. www.fitforworkeurope.eu

  A seminar was held on Tues 11 May 2010 in the offices of the European Parliament in Molesworth Street, hosted by MEP Jim Higgins FG for purposes of briefing members of the Oireachtas and health practitioners and policy makers.
  The seminar was addressed by John Church CEO of Arthritis Ireland, Stephen Bevan of the Work Foundation and Prof. Geraldine McCarthy Consultant Rheumatologist. Jim Higgins MEP also addressed the seminar in his capacity as Co Chair of the Special Interest Group on Arthritis at the European Parliament.
  The delegation later made a formal presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise Trade and Employment.

  For more information visit: www.fitforworkeurope.eu