PRSI Refunds?

Last year I only worked for 6 months of the year (the last 6 months). On a weekly basis I earned more than the €352 threshold for PRSI, so I paid PRSI. I've just noticed that the total for the year is €18304 (€352 x 52), and I didn't earn that much - am I entitled to a PRSI refund?

If I am eligible and I do claim this, am I shooting myself in the foot as far as other benefits go - like Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance, Dental, Spectacles etc etc?

If anybody can shed some light on the mythical beast that is PRSI refunds I'd be most grateful

To the best of my knowledgeable, PRSI is deducted for the period you're paid in, ie weekly, fortnightly or monthly, dependant on being over the weekly earnings limit of €352 as you state.
This limit isn't cumulative or rolled over in any form, so if you don't work for a week, you don't get the allowance, therefore there's nothing to reclaim.

Well if it doesn't accumulate then yes, I'd have nothing to claim over which is perfectly OK with me, I just didn't want to miss out on things I could claim for with me being out of a job now

Thanks Rambler

This may be some help to you:
http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?t=101406

Also, 6 month wait for refund.

Where an employees weekly pay fluctuates above and below €500, but the annual pay during 2008 is not more than €26,000, the employee may claim a refund of the 2% Health Contribution deduction, from the