Mr. Ivor Callely, Minister for State at the Department for Health and Children, officially opens the new Alzheimer’s Garden located in St. John’s Hospital , Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford at 11.30 a.m. Friday 3^rd September (today).  The garden was developed in conjunction with the local Fás community work scheme.  This project is particularly special as it provides a safe, calm environment for residents and service users who have Alzheimer’s disease.

Mr. Tom Byrne, Regional Manager for Mental Health and Elderly Services says “This is a fine facility that will offer our clients a pleasant and familiar environment – gardens and gardening is something that all of us take for granted in our lives.  That is why it is so important to introduce and maintain gardens in our long-stay services – they bring a level of familiarity to our residents. I particularly want to thank the all of the FAS staff for their commitment and the staff in St. John’s for their input and support.  I hope we continue to develop similar services and facilities for older people across the South East.”

Ms Jeanne Hendrick, General Manager of Elderly an Mental Health Services in Wexford expressed her thanks to the staff and the Fás workers who worked so hard to develop the new garden and to refurbish offices for elderly services.