Around 2,500 homes occupied by vulnerable people are to have smoke alarms fitted in a pilot scheme announced today by Minister for the Environment Dick Roche.
Around 250 homes in ten local authorities will be selected to receive two smoke alarms paid for by Mr Roche's department.
The participating authorities are in Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Galway, Laois, Louth, Offaly, Waterford and Wicklow.
The scheme will run until the end of October 2006, with a view to extending it nationwide next year.
The scheme is in response to research showing 20 per cent of Irish households have no working smoke alarm.
There will also be a media campaign to encourage the installation of smoke alarms and measures targeting local authority-owned houses, the private rented sector and student accommodation.