The Irish government is to compensate those who suffered from abuse as children while in residential care.

The proposed legislation will allow victims access to "fair and reasonable" compensation without having to go to court.

The extent of abuse suffered by children in Ireland's religious and other children's institutions - particular those run by the Christian Brothers - was first brought to public attention in a television documentary broadcast in Eire in 1999.

A deluge of claims of abuse, some dating back 50 years, followed and have led to legal action against a number of childcare workers, including those in religious orders.

The Residential Institutions Redress Bill published this week will set up a board to hear all claims.

Those awarded compensation would still be able to pursue damages through the courts but, if accepted, they would have to waive the right to take further action against the state or other public bodies.