(1) This section applies to an employee -

(a) who is entitled to a redundancy payment under section 7,

(b) whose entitlement to a lump sum payment under section 19 arises during the period beginning on 13 March 2020 and ending on 31 January 2025, and

(c) who was laid off during the period beginning on 13 March 2020 and ending on 31 January 2022 due to the effect of measures required to be taken by his or her employer in order to comply with, or as a consequence of, Government policy to prevent, limit, minimise or slow the spread of infection of Covid-19.

(2) An employer, on behalf of an employee to whom this section applies, may apply to the Minister for a payment in respect of any periods of lay-off referred to in subsection (1)(c) in the manner determined by the Minister.

(3) If an employer refuses or fails to apply to the Minister on the employee's behalf for a payment under subsection (2), the employee may apply to the Minister for the payment.