Hopes rose today of an end to a dispute which has plunged Northern Ireland's jail system into turmoil in a row over security breaches.
Prison Officers Association leaders met Security Minister Ms Jane Kennedy at Stormont and afterwards both sides said the discussions had been "very useful".
Mr Finlay Spratt, the POA chief, said Ms Kennedy had gone away to consider a number of matters they had put to her and a meeting with Prison Service management was planned.
After more than an hour of talks with Ms Kennedy, Mr Spratt, in more upbeat mood than after other talks in recent weeks, said: "Hopefully we will get the matter resolved."
Staff who fear for their safety after their details were found on computer disks - seized during raids after claims of IRA spying - have already staged two walk-outs in protest at the personal protection packages on offer.
Union chiefs have warned more action was certain unless low-grade home security was offered to warders whose names were not on the files recovered two months ago.
Mr Spratt told Ms Kennedy during today's meeting that as little as £70,000 could end the row.
PA