Supermarket chain Tesco is to create 200 new jobs as part of a plan for seven new stores and six mobile phone shops across the country. 

80 of the new roles will be created before Christmas as part of a €70 million investment programme.

Tesco Express convenience stores will be located in Cork (Douglas Road), College Green (Dublin), Dorset Street (Dublin), Leonards Corner (Dublin) and Glasnevin Avenue (Dublin). 

New Tesco Mobile shops will open in Maynooth, Tallaght, Drogheda, Clearwater (Dublin), Wilton (Cork) and Clarehall (Dublin).

120 of the jobs will be in new store openings next year in Dundalk and Honeypark (Dun Laoghaire).

Tesco already employs 15,000 staff in Ireland and is one of the country's biggest private sector employers.