If you want a PPL/IR, and it is possible to use an N-reg plane, a far better route is an FAA PPL and FAA IR.
Easier to do, you get credit for previous instrument training (up to 25 hrs IIRC), you don't have the ludicrous JAR ATPL ground school (14 exams), and a Class 3 medical is dead easy to get.
For a plane owner, there are savings all the way down the line too. Own maintenance, only annual checks, able to use FAA STC'd parts...