Northern Ireland prison officers are considering industrial action if they do not get more compensation for increasing security at their homes, their union has said.

It follows a police investigation into IRA intelligence gathering, in which the personal details of officers were found on a laptop computer.

A special police unit was set up to warn those whose names appeared on the list seized.

The Prison Officers' Association said they feared 2,000 names, addresses and telephone numbers of serving officers may be on the list.

Finlay Spratt: "The prison officers could be in debt into old age"

Association chairman Finlay Spratt said prison officers want prison management and the government to properly compensate officers forced to move home to protect themselves.

He said they had already stepped up action by refusing to work voluntary extra hours.

"We will not leave any stone unturned until we achieve what we believe is a reasonable solution to this problem," Mr Spratt said.

"It is totally unacceptable that they should have to pay out of their own pockets and get into debt to protect our families because of the actions of the people of the Northern Ireland Office."

'Co-operation'

Meanwhile, in a statement the Northern Ireland Prison Service said the prison officers' case "would only be progressed with the good will and cooperation of all parties".

The Prison Service said senior management were "keen to resume discussions with the Prison Officer's Association".

The statement added: "It is deplorable that prison officers should find their personal details compromised in this way.

"The Prison Service is doing everything in its power to protect their safety and security.

"Disruptive industrial action will solve nothing and breaches prison officers terms and conditions of employment."

On Monday, several hundred officers held protest demonstrations outside prisons in the province.

Association members met Security Minister Jane Kennedy for talks last Friday but failed to come to agreement.

Compensation

The government has a number of programmes in place, including the Assisted Home Removal Scheme, to help with the costs of moving those in Northern Ireland under threat.

A second programme for those wishing to remain in their present home meets the costs of installing security measures.

The moving scheme provides for legal costs of selling and buying homes, removals and an extra mileage allowance for those who end up having to travel further to work.

In total �12,600 is available if there is a difference in the cost of moving to a similar house in a new area where property is more expensive.

Repayable loans based on salary are also available.