BIAS was set up in 1978 by volunteers as a community development and welfare organisation with the aim of providing a practical and essential service to the Irish community. As a registered charity, BIAS continues to recruit volunteers from the community to help with the planning, management and delivery of its services.

• To promote the social and cultural welfare of Irish people and to improve their position in society through equality and opportunity
• To co-ordinate existing resources and groups within the Irish community and to encourage and support the development of new resources and groups if necessary
• To co-operate and liaise with statutory and voluntary bodies with a view to improving the services offered
• To create an awareness of the socio-cultural background of Irish people and to promote a better understanding of their needs
• To work for the elimination of racial discrimination and disadvantage within a multi-racial and multi-cultural society.