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The Mission of Kildare Money Advice is:

To address the multi-faceted problem of indebtedness in Kildare by empowering people to regain control over their personal finances through the provision of a community-based, professional, client-oriented and accessible money advice service and the development of preventative measures, in conjunction with other local organisations.

Kildare Money Advice is a voluntary organisation providing advice and assistance to households in financial difficulties in Kildare and adjacent areas. Established in 1996, it operates as part of the national Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), funded by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.

Kildare Money Advice provides advice to clients on how to maximise their incomes, assists in the preparation of a realistic budget, sets up budgeting accounts in conjunction local credit unions, and conducts negotiations with creditors.

Kildare Money Advice provides its services from two offices in the county: Kilcock and Newbridge; and employs five staff. The service is managed by a voluntary committee made up of representatives of state, voluntary and community interests.

Kildare Money Advice operates on the basis of a three-year strategic plan (1998-2000). This plan sets our six objectives:

• To offer advice and assistance to households in debt;
  
• To improve access to low cost credit;
  
• Management and lending practices;
  
• To develop greater awareness of debt and the services available to tackle it;
  
• To provide information and education on money management and consumer credit;
  
• To work with other agencies to alleviate poverty.
  

An annual work programme is prepared at the start of the year setting out specific actions and targets for each objective. Thisl website details the progress in achieving these objectives in year one of the strategic plan.

Kildare Money Advice is accountable to its membership and the public through its annual general meeting, the presentation of an annual report and the auditing of its accounts. As a company limited guarantee, it operates in accordance with the Companies Acts.