The Restaurants Association of Ireland has hit out at the government for excluding cafés, restaurants and pubs from a 10 million euro support fund.
The scheme is designed to help businesses in areas where a large numbers of rooms in local hotels and B&Bs are being used for humanitarian housing.
The Department of Tourism, and Fáilte Ireland, have both confirmed that only tourism attractions and activities will be eligible for the support.
Adam Hallissey of the RAI told RedFM News that it does not make sense for some tourism and hospitality businesses to be supported while others are ignored.
"We're calling on the government to alter the scheme with immediate effect to ensure that all hospitality businesses are included and that way we'll avoid creating a situation of toxicity and division in local communities between hospitality businesses, under current plans, some of whom will receive support and some won't"
