Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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401. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to resolve the issue of medical cards not being accepted for payment on school transport routes due to the recent cyber-attack on the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37254/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/21 school year more than 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.

Due to the HSE ransomware attack, the medical card validation process on the Bus Éireann Family portal is not available at present. Bus Éireann is working with the HSE find a solution to this issue.

Bus Éireann has contacted family account holders who used their child’s medical card for payment in the 2020/21 school year directly advising them of this issue. Advice and regular updates are also being provided on www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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402. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person’s (details supplied) seat is secured even though the school transport system will not accept a medical card as payment. [37255/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/21 school year more than 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.

Due to the HSE ransomware attack, the medical card validation process on the Bus Éireann Family portal is not available at present. Bus Éireann is working with the HSE find a solution to this issue.

Bus Éireann has contacted family account holders who used their child’s medical card for payment in the 2020/21 school year directly advising them of this issue. Advice and regular updates are also being provided on www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport.