Social welfare while I'm upskilling

Hey guys, fortunately I don't know anything about social welfare entitlements cause I've never had to but now my job is coming to an end at the end of year so im doing a bit of research in getting myself trained in another sector I've started doin a night course once a week, to see if I'd be interested in this line of work and more importantly if I'd be any good at it, I would have to go and do a full time city and guilds course starting next year for 35 weeks if I was to be even considered for any job..my question is could I claim job seekers allowance or equivalent while I'm doin this course and if so how much would I be entitled to.. My wife is working and we have one child.thanks in advance for any help..

Back to Education Allowance would be your best bet I think. You'd have to make sure that the course qualifies for it though. Have a read of this

http://www.welfare.ie/en/publications/sw70/pages/abacktoeducationallowancebtea.aspx#what

EDIT : You will need to have 9 months of social welfare payments before you apply for this, though.