A Fine Gael TD who employed his wife as parliamentary assistant has said someone else will replace her in the role next month.
John Perry said his wife Maria was appointed in January to bridge the gap until his preferred candidate for the job became available.
Yesterday, RTÉ's Investigations Unit revealed the former minister of state appointed his wife as parliamentary assistant.
The post pays at least €38,000 a year plus 20% overtime payments on top of that.
The former minister for small business issued a statement on the controversy today.
He said his former assistant left the job last summer.
This was after Mr Perry lost his post as a minister of state.
His wife then filled the role without pay for the next six months.
There was no cost to the State for the work done by Mrs Perry in that period, according to the statement.
Having been an integral part of his career for 18 years, Mr Perry said he appointed his "eminently qualified" wife as his assistant.
But this appointment was just to bridge the gap until a preferred candidate became available, he said.
He added that that has now happened and Thomas Walsh, who has worked in Mr Perry's office one day a week, at the TD's expense, will take up the role next month.
Yesterday Taoiseach Enda Kenny said it is not good practice for TDs to appoint family members.
