Ms Cliona Kelliher:

It is quite a complex situation. Many PPNs definitely feel that full independence is the way to go. As Mr. Stanley-Smith mentioned, there can sometimes be conflicts where PPN workers are employed by the local authority because there are divided loyalties. Some PPNs have hosting arrangements. For example, we in Kildare are hosted by the LEADER partnership.

The value of PPNs is that they are independent entities. Every PPN is different, yet they are all connected. While that is a strength, it can also lead to a disconnect. One PPN can be doing amazing work while other PPNs are not aware of it. There are multiple layers to this, but PPNs being strongly independent is the way to go.