Children aged between three and seven are over three times more likely to have an accident resulting in a personal injury claim than infants aged three or less, new figures have shown.

A study by injuriesboard.ie found that children in the three-to-seven age group accounted for over a quarter of all awards to minors last year. Seven- to 10-year-olds were the second-highest grouping at 21.5 per cent, while those in the zero to three age group made up just 7.5 per cent.

Overall in 2010 compensation totalling €8.5 million was awarded to 615 children under the age of 18, with the payouts ranging from €500 to €173,000.