The Social Democrat's Gary Gannon is one of two newly-elected TDs who has hired a family member to work as an Oireachtas Assistant.
It was revealed by the Irish Independent which surveyed all 160 TDs that got a seat in the February elections.
Dublin Central TD Gary Gannon and Fianna Fail's Christopher O'Sullivan confirmed they hired their siblings following their election.
Deputy Gannon, told 98FM that he hired his younger brother Paul as his Secretarial Assistant. He jobshares the role and does 15 hours a week.
"It's very important to say, Paul has been with me since 2014, from the very moment I started out in politics. He's been knocking at doors all over the inner city. He knows the people, he understands the issues. So him doing 15 hours a week, I don't think there's anyone better for that particular role working with me. I'm delighted to have him".
TDs are allowed to hire a parliamentary assistant and secretarial assistant to help them. The most recently available salary scale for parliamentary assistant is between €41,000 and €52,000. Secretarial Assistants earn between €23,000 and €44,000.
It is not against Oireachtas rules to hire family members but the practice is considered controversial.
