The Dáil has heard calls for the ban on Garda overtime to be lifted in the run-up to Halloween.

In late-September, the Garda Commissioner announced that all non-essential overtime would be banned for the rest of the year.

The ban was introduced after the force once again faced the prospect of overspending on its budget.

In the Dáil this afternoon, Dublin TDs Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Joan Collins warned that more resources are needed to keep communities safe over the festival.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh said Halloween is the busiest and most dangerous time of year for front-line emergency services and warned that the ban was allowing “very dangerous elements” to terrorise communities.

"There is genuine fear in communities at present [...] that Garda authorities will not have the resources or capacity available to cope with an upsurge in illegal activity,” he said.

"I am fearful this year that the Garda overtime ban will expose communities to dangerous fires and anti-social behaviour and will also stop the work of Dublin City Council in removing bonfire material from public parks and flat complexes.

"Tensions run high at this time of year and where gaps arise, serious violence can occur and public safety and order is threatened.”

Deputy Collins said it is crucial that communities have the support of Gardaí over Halloween.

She said there were major problems in Dublin South Central last year and said Gardaí need to work overtime on Halloween control any serious activity.

She warned that there are criminal gangs involved in some of the anti-social behaviour, warning: “They were nearly setting up a turf war last year in parts of Dublin South Central.”

Both deputies urged the Minister for Justice to ensure that Gardaí were given funding to lift the overtime ban for the next number of weeks.