Hi Welfarite,
I also would like to know what the min payment contribution for the 13 weeks is.
My situation is slightly different. Got let go last MARCH, have applied for hundreds of jobs (and I am not being at all fussy about what I am going for!!) but still nothing.
I was recently 'means' tested and with my partner working full time my allowance was reduced from €196 to €63. They took into account, I assume, the commission she got (which is not always there as she works in retail), and also the bank holidays that were in the 3 months of payslips that we gave the social.
There is never any spare cash left over after the first week she gets paid and I have to pay the mortgage out of what I get and also give her a few euros for petrol to get to work for the rest of the month. Plus we have 2 children in school that need clothes, books etc...holy crap...my little boy has not had a new pair of glasses in over a year as we don't have the money to buy them!!!
SORRY...rant over...and back to the point.
I went on the Short term enterprise allowance to try and get a business going, but didn't get the funds to but the main piece of equipment I needed to make a go of it (€650..to be exact), but that time ran out after 6 months and I had to re-sign...hence my situation now.
When I went to the social the lady behind the counter told me if I could get 13 weeks contributions I could go back onto the jobseekers for another year or hopefully until I found a job.
I am pretty sure I could get a job in my friends shop (where I was let go from) if he only had to pay my contributions..but...what would he have to pay. I know he is struggling (retail shop) but am pretty sure he will give me a hand if he only has to pay contributions for me.
Sorry for being so long-winded, but I have looked everywhere for this info and this was the first thing that was relevant.
Thanks in advance.