The cost to the State of maternity-related claims has increased by 80% from €32m to €58m between 2010 and 2014.

The State Claims Agency says the spike is largely down to the payment of lump sums to the families of patients with cerebral palsy, rather than the periodic payments previously received.

The agency has conducted a major review of Irish maternity services, and says hospitals could do better when reporting incidents.

For the first time, the 19 Irish maternity services are being compared from a clinical incident and claims rate.

The report shows an 80% increase in the cost of maternity-related claims.

Last year, 75 incidents reported to the National Incident Management System, which was introduced in the wake of the death of Savita Halappanavar.

These were rated as extreme in severity. But the agency says not all of these were avoidable, or properly categorised.

It also says its data is incomplete or incorrect.

Director of the State Claims Agency, Ciaran Breen, admits the spike in payments can look alarming - but says it is essentially down to a change in how payments are made.

He says that legislation would help, and is in the pipeline.