Thanks
@Sadim for the response. I am originally from the UK, so lived in the UK up until 2006 when I moved to Ireland. 2005 was when I started permanent employment but I'd previously have had a 1 year work placement in 2003 and various summer jobs before completing my degree in 2005 and starting work.
When I first moved to Ireland it was a secondment with a view that I would eventually return to the UK, so I stayed on a UK contract during that period and paid tax in the UK - although I didn't live in the UK I was paid into a UK account and payslips may have been sent to a UK address, I can't remember. The move to Ireland then became permanent in 2008 when I signed an Irish contract.
Might be clutching at straws but any hope the above might make me eligible?