A FG TD who appointed his wife to a €38,000 euro job in his constituency office says she was only filling in on a temporary basis.

Deputy John Perry has now appointed a party worker who previously worked with him while he was Minister of state to the role of Parliamentary Assistant.

Deputy Perry was widely criticised for giving his wife the job, a role funded by the taxpayer. He maintains that she was not paid for the six months of work prior to the January appointment, as she had worked on a volunteer basis until then.

"There was no cost or charge to the State for the work she carried out during that period."

Last night the Taoiseach said the appointment of family members to such position was "unwise."

In a statement Mr Perry says his wife took up the parliamentary assistant role to "bridge the gap" until his preferred candidate became available.