The Government's to offer compensation of up to 84,000 euro to people involved in bringing school child abuse cases against the state.

It follows a European Court of Human Rights ruling last January in the case of Louise O'Keeffe who was abused by her teacher in the 1970's.

She took the case to Europe after the Supreme Court here ruled the State was not liable for the abuse.

44 other cases will be offered settlements immediately, while up to 135 others who discontinued their cases may also be entitled to the compensation.

Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan says this offer is compensation from the State and doesn't stop those who were abused seeking compensation from named individuals: