asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce given the fact that Irish industry is losing £900 million a year because it lacks a policy of systematic quality control, as estimated recently by the Irish Quality Control Association, and the urgency of raising standards of quality, if he will make a statement on his Department's approach to improving quality in Irish industry.
Written Answers. - Quality Control.
42.
Limerick East): While there is no firm statistical basis for the figure of £900 million referred to, the Government recognise the pressing need for Irish industry to raise standards of quality. This is primarily a matter for each individual firm but it has been a major policy consideration since the publication of the Government White Paper on Industrial Policy.
In January 1985 the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) was established to ensure that a greater emphasis was placed on the use of quality standards and proper quality control procedures in industry. The NSAI has published and is promoting Irish Standard 300 — the Irish Standard of Quality Management Systems. The authority has also increased the number of standards available to Irish industry and is active in promoting the need for higher standards of quality. The authority administer a registration scheme which provides recognition to companies with quality systems at the highest international level. As a consequence of its work there has been a marked increase in awareness of quality control in Irish industry.
In addition the IDA, SFADCo and CTT, when considering applications for grants, highlight the need for quality and seek to ensure that proper quality control systems are in operation in firms.