PRSI credits for 2011 is all that matters.

Limecube

Was surprised to find out today that Welfare Office is only looking at 2011 for PRSI credits payed when claiming for Job Seekers Benefit. I was self employed for some of 2011 but an employee from 1998-2010 and a employee for all of 2012 and 2013. However, non of those PRSI credits count for a claim right now, only credits paid during 2011, where I was on a directors class of PRSI so therefore not entitled.

Annoying, but I guess thats the rules!

danjo-xx

On the 1st of January next 2012 is the year that will count, you could apply then, or on the 2nd January when they reopen:D

eastbono

The first Monday in January is when the gcy 2012 contribution year comes into play.

Limecube

That's what the welfare office said! Problem for me is that I'll have a job before then, so I won't get a chance to actually wait that long before I claim.

I suppose I thought here I had an opportunity for more than a decade of PRSI contributions might actually give me something back. But even I'm out of luck in this case. What happened two years ago, in a collection of more than a decade of contributions is all that matters. I accept it, just don't really understand it. I always had the idea that you could get JB if you had paid enough PRSI contributions (which I've made many). Today, I learn't thats not the case. Fair enough, its a lesson learned.

Makes me feel like my PRSI contributions feel like a tax rather than a social insurance I can draw on, but I'm thinking I'm late to the game to that one :-)

Limecube

For what it's worth as someone new to the welfare office situation:

- I went into the Navan Road Social Office in Dublin 7. It was clean, clear, professional and quick. I was impressed.
- The officer I spoke with was very professional, but seemed a little distant. She (it was a woman) was amused at my assertion that I only wanted welfare for a few weeks (4 at most).
- I explained that I was made redundant from a Irish company a few weeks ago.
- I said that I would only be out of work for about 2/3 weeks at most and I found the service not very compatible with the modern reality of many profession's that gain and lose jobs frequently/quickly.
- As a software developer with a good few years experience, it felt very different from The Netherlands, where I had previously experienced redundancy.
- There, its not unheard of to lose a good job and gain a new one in 10/15 days later. You quickly get registered for a significant % of your final salary (technically % of PRSI payments).
- I felt the Navan Road office wasn't equipped for this type of career situation.

I accept the rules that the Irish (Navan) Welfare system applies, but it feels hard on someone like me, that has paid in 99% into the service and needs a small and shorttime help around the December period. I felt the service seemed much more attuned to long term needs, rather than short term needs (such as modern work contract situation increasingly means).

wmpdd3

Usually a JSB claim is pretty quick unless its your first time ever on a payment.

But yes I agree, there is no incentive in this country to be self employed, even for a short time.

eastbono

You could apply for jobseekers allowance which is means tested.