The Department of Tourism and Leisure says it's "very disappointed" eight members of its Bus Inspectors and Depot Supervisors group staged a strike today.

The union Prospect is warning it will be followed by further industrial action, unless agreement can be reached between the group and management in a dispute over pay and conditions.

The DTL says, given the increasing pressure to maintain existing service levels within ever tightening budgets, it made what it considered to be a very reasonable offer to resolve the current dispute.

Political member with responsibility for public transport Graham Cregeen, MHK, says the department has no new money available to fund any pay award, but put together a self-funded offer which relies upon increased efficiency from the group. The offer was rejected

Mr Cregeen says the future of the depots will be scrutinised as part of the overall bus review, but any decision on their possible closure is at least a year away. He says any suggestion the department is reducing public services is simply untrue and scaremongering. The aim is to enhance efficiency in delivering existing services.

The department says it remains hopeful negotiations will bring the dispute to a swift conclusion.