Crossword Genius

Dad, to irritate, gets into row about mending equipment (6,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

repair kit

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'mending equipment' is the definition.
(kit for repairing something)

'dad to irritate gets into row about' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'dad' could be 'pa' (synonyms) and 'pa' is located in the answer.
'irritate' could be 'irk' (to irk is to irritate) and 'irk' is present in the answer.
'about' could be 're' (regarding) and 're' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'it' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Times.
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