If you lose you job you should apply for a weekly Jobseekers payment from your local Social Welfare Office.

Jobseekers Benefit: If you have been an employee and have enough PRSI contributions (social insurance) you can claim Jobseekers Benefit. Jobseeker’s Benefit is a weekly payment which can be paid for a maximum of 12 months (312 days) to people who have at least 260 paid contributions. Jobseeker’s Benefit can be paid for a maximum of 9 months (234 days) to people who have less than 260 paid contributions. In January 2009, there were changes to the number of PRSI contributions needed to qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit. For more information please go to: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/JobseekerSupports/JobseekersBenefit/Pages/jb.aspx

Jobseekers Allowance: If you aged over 18, are not working and do not have enough PRSI contributions you can apply for Jobseekers Allowance. Self-employed persons who are no longer working you may also be eligible for this payment. Jobseekers Allowance is a weekly means-tested payment. Further information about qualification criteria and payment rates can be found at: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/JobseekerSupports/JobseekersAllowance/Pages/ja.aspx

Back to Work Supports: There are also a number of Back to Work and Supported Employment Programmes such as the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, Short Tern Enterprise Allowance, Work Placement Programme and a number of other schemes. Further details of these schemes are available from you local Social Welfare and FAS offices or at http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Pages/unemployed.aspx or http://www.fas.ie/ http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Pages/closeclaimadditionalinfo.aspx

Family Income Supplement (FIS): is a weekly tax-free payment available to married or unmarried employees with children. It gives extra financial support to people on low pay. You will not qualify for FIS if you are only self-employed, you must be an employee to qualify.
You must have at least one child who normally lives with you or is financially supported by you. Your child must be under 18 years of age or between 18 and 22 years of age and in full-time education.
To qualify for FIS, your net average weekly family income must be below a certain amount for your family size. The FIS you receive is 60% of the difference between your net family income and the income limit which applies to your family. For more information please go to http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/BirthChildrenAndFamilies/ChildRelatedPayments/Pages/fis.aspx

Back to Education Supports: You can avail of a full-time second or third level course, VTOS or an educational training and development course, and still receive a jobseekers payment. If you are not eligible for or do not wish to do a full-time course, you can attend a part-time course.

Back to College (Jobseekers) Initiative: Under the Labour Market Activation Fund some 11,000 college places will be made available to the unemployed, especially people under 35 yrs or long-term unemployed. 75% of the available places are aimed at those with qualifications at or below Leaving Certificate level. Tuition fees will not be charged for these courses. Jobseekers who wish to apply for a place on one of these courses should contact the college directly. For further details of this scheme please go to http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/JobseekerSupports/Pages/btcij.aspx

Back to Education Allowance: There are a number of education options available under the back to education allowance scheme. Jobseekers can return to full time education to complete second level education or if they hold a leaving certificate can enrol in a wide range of full time university or third level institution.
There are also part time education options available under this scheme. For further information please see http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/BackToEducation/Pages/default.aspx