Minimum weeks to qualify

I was working for myself for 5 years. Running my own business, paying all my taxes etc etc. Like many businesses my business went south over the past year, so I decided to pack it in and seek full time employment elsewhere. I started working for a company 4 weeks ago. But I've a feeling they could go bust soon!

How many weeks do I need to have working to qualify for job seekers benefit/allowance or whatever it is?

Isn't it crazy that the self employed(as far as I know) are not entitled to anything. Even though I probably paid more tax into the system than the normal working person.

There's a sticky post at the top of the redundancy and unemployment forum which outlines the qualifying criteria for Jobseeker's Benefit (number of PRSI contributions required).

Jobseeker's allowance is a means-tested scheme, and you may qualify depending on your circumstances. You do not need PRSI contributions for Jobseeker's allowance.

It's crazy what I'm not entitled to having had worked for myself for the past 5 years, and paid all of my taxes, VAT, corporation tax, employees PRSI/PAYE. It's not fair. The self employed contribute a lot to the system, and if things go wrong for them are not entitled to anything.

I'm considering going back working for myself, but is there anyway I can work for myself, but not work for myself in the eyes of the messed up system we have? If you know what I mean?