Financial & Practical Advice for Mayo Parents  

Here are some useful resources when it comes to sorting out your finances or finding out your social welfare entitlements and other essential information.

The Money Advice & Budgeting Service (MABS) is a national, free, confidential and independent service for people in debt or in danger of getting into debt.  They run a national helpline on 1890 283 438 (open from 9am - 8pm, Monday to Friday) and also have offices nationwide.  The MABS website is a very useful resource.  It has an online library, as well as many information leaflets, on topics such as mortgage arrears, your credit rating, re-mortgaging, debt and the district court etc. There are also very practical money management tips and budget sheets.

Ballina MABS - Cualgara, Teeling Street, Ballina. Phone (096) 72902 or email ballina@mabs.ie

Castlebar MABS - The Humbert Mall, Castlebar. Phone (094) 9028888 or email castlebar@mabs.ie

The Citizens Information Board is the national agency responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice and advocacy on social services.  It has over 250 locations nationwide and runs a helpline on 1890 777 121 (open from 9am - 9pm, Monday to Friday). Citizens Information Services (CISs) provide the face-to-face service to the public and provide free, impartial and confidential information at the following locations in Mayo.

Ballina CIC - Unit 5A, Cualgarra, Teeling Street, Ballina. Phone (096) 21221 or email ballina@citinfo.ie
Belmullet CIC - Main Street, Belmullet. Phone (097) 81676 or email belmullet@citinfo.ie
Castlebar CIC - Cavendish House, Link Road, Castlebar. Phone (094) 9025544 or email castlebar@citinfo.ie
Claremorris CIC - CURAM Centre, Dalton Street, Claremorris. Phone (094) 9362202 or email claremorris@citinfo.ie
Westport CIC - The Courtyard, James Street, Westport. Phone (098) 26299

For up to date information and factsheets check their information website, www.citizensinformation.ie. They cover topics such as Employment Rights, Disabilty, Older People, Accessibility Services, Benefits and Taxes, Marriage and relationship counselling and free legal advice

The Citizens Information website is an Irish eGovernment website provided by the Citizens Information Board.  The site provides public service information for Ireland.  It contains comprehensive information on public services and on the entitlements of citizens.  It has gathered information from various government departments and agencies, and has made sure that you have all the information that you need, presented in an easy-to-understand way. 

The site is divided in to categories and life stages and the many topics covered include Becoming A Parent, Caring For A Child with a Disability, Setting Up A Business or Starting School - and there are many other subjects under the umbrellas of Health, Environment, Housing, Consumer Affairs, Housing, Money & Tax Affairs etc.  The website also has two micro offshoots - called Keeping Your Home and Losing Your Job.  Overall, this website is an excellent portal of useful information.

The Family Support Agency supports a variety of services to assist families around the country. These include:

• A nationwide Family Mediation Service in 16 locations
• 107 Family Resource Centres nationwide
• Counselling Services for those experiencing marriage or relationship difficulties or bereavement and for children experiencing bereavement or parental separation

You can use the map of Ireland to check which of these services is available in your locality.

Other Useful Links

Parent/Family/Child Resources:
Barnardos - www.barnardos.ie
The National Federation of Services for Unmarried Parents & Their Children (TREOIR) - www.treoir.ie
One Family (Support for Single Parents) - www.onefamily.ie
Ombudsman for Children - www.oco.ie
Childminding Ireland - www.childminding.ie
La Leche League (breastfeeding information and support)- www.lalecheleagueireland.com
Children's Food Campaign - www.childrensfoodcampaign.net
National Parents Council (Primary) - www.npc.ie
National Parents Council (Post Primary) - www.npcpp.ie
Food Dudes (Bord Bia programme to promote healthy eating) - www.fooddudes.ie

General Information:
It's Your Money (independent advice on financial products) - www.itsyourmoney.ie
National Consumer Agency (NCA) - www.nca.ie
Consumer Connect - www.consumerconnect.ie
Consumer Property - www.consumerproperty.ie
Stop Food Waste - www.stopfoodwaste.ie