A Roman Catholic group at the centre of an inquiry into child abuse in Ireland today offered €161m (£145m) in cash and land to make amends to its victims.

The Christian Brothers, which ran the Republic's notorious Industrial Schools and orphanages, said they will hand over up to €30m to an Irish government trust fund, and will also give €4m for abuse victims' counselling services.

In their statement the Christian Brothers said they will also transfer land valued at €127m to joint ownership of the government and the Edmund Rice Schools Trust.

They said their decision had been taken in the light of the publication this May of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, known as the Ryan report.

"The range of incremental measures outlined above follow the Christian Brothers' acceptance, shame and sorrow at the findings of the Ryan report," the statement said.

"We understand and regret that nothing we say or do can turn back the clock for those affected by abuse.

"Our fervent hope is that the initiatives now proposed will assist in the provision of support services to former residents of the institutions as well as the facilities, resources and scope to protect, cherish and educate present and future generations of children."

The Christian Brothers' announcement came 24 hours before a separate report into clerical child abuse in the Dublin Diocese. The 750-page report was cleared for publication last Thursday in Dublin's high court, which was dealing with legal challenges from members of the clergy.

Victims' organisations have called on the Irish government to give them copies of the Dublin Diocese report before its publication.

The long running commission of inquiry into the Dublin Archdiocese has investigated allegations against 46 priests. The report will be censored in parts so as not to prejudice ongoing or potential criminal cases.

Ireland's minister for education, Batt O'Keeffe, has urged other religious congregations to come forward with financial offers.

A spokesperson for the minister said they would not be commenting on the Christian Brothers' offer until all others had been received.

The minister has received the so-called panel report, an independent assessment of the assets and liabilities of the 18 congregations involved, and that is being considered at the moment.

The spokesperson declined to say how many congregations still had to come forward with financial proposals.

Meanwhile, an Irish bishop apologised to a victim of Father Michael Molloy, who was sentenced to five years in jail on Monday. The 44-year-old priest pleaded guilty to two counts of defiling a boy and one of possessing child pornography. The offences took place Molloy's parochial house, among other places.