Is there a minimun No. of hours needed

Is there a minimum number of hours , or earnings per week to be classified as PRSI A Type employee. I am on DA, and on OT 1 as out patient. The HSA are going to recommend that I will benifit from 8/12 hours work per week. They have found employment at Euro 115 / week for 12 hours. WILL i get A Type Contribitions. The placement officer said she can get me 8 weeks work at home.

I am down to do a retraining course in early 2011

€38 per week is that is needed to be class A.

is there any lower limit on hours during which that 38e needs to be earned - ie if I get just 4 hrs work one day a week at 10e per hour, is that sufficient?

Yep. As long as it is at least 38 euro.