Bernadette Parte

Published to coincide with the launch of My Legacy Month, the poll suggests that only 27 per cent of over-18s in Ireland have made a will, with only 14 per cent of that amount saying they plan to make a charitable gift from their estate.

However, 35 per cent of respondents said they would consider a bequest to charity if it meant there was a tax break available.

Niall O’Sullivan, chairperson of My Legacy, said: “The report shows a strong public interest to know and understand more about both the process of making a will, and including a gift to charity.

“We know that Ireland is one of the most generous nations in Europe and the report states that 40 per cent of people regularly support a charity.

“However, that figure jars significantly with the current low uptake of legacy giving, especially compared the UK, where pro rata, people leave three times as much in their wills to charities. This demonstrates the huge potential to increase legacy giving in Ireland.

“In our pre-Budget 2025 submission, My Legacy calls on the government to incentivise and encourage legacy giving.

“The findings support this — 35 per cent of those that either don’t have a will or have one without a gift to charity in it say they would be open to including a gift in their will if a tax benefit were available.”

The nationally representative survey of 1,007 adults was carried out online by RED C Research and Marketing between 6-11 August 2024 on behalf of My Legacy.

Over half (51 per cent) of respondents said that including a gift to charity in their will had never occurred to them, but they would feel comfortable talking to a solicitor about doing so. Just 14 per cent of those who currently have a will have included a gift to charity.

Over a third (36 per cent) of respondents said cost was the main reason why they didn’t have a will.

Just over a quarter (27 per cent) of respondents said they have a will, with a further five per cent saying they are in the process of arranging one.

Bernadette Parte, solicitor and My Legacy board member, said: “We all know the importance of having a will and this survey suggests people know they should, and wish to, make one.

“However, it’s important that government and the legal community heed the report findings; over two-thirds say the greatest barrier preventing them from making a will is uncertainty about how to do so, while almost half report they think the process of drafting a will would be complicated and overwhelming.

“The fact is that making a will is normally a simple, straightforward experience and it’s in society’s interest that everyone has one. People should feel comfortable and confident that they can put their affairs in order, look after loved ones and, if they wish, support a cause close to their hearts by including a gift for a charity.”