More than 100 new jobs are to be created in Cork and Galway, with the opening of two new Boots stores, the establishment of a European headquarters for Entercoms and the initiation of a second round of hiring by mobile innovation company Synchronoss.

Pharmacy chain Boots is to open new stores in Cork and Galway, resulting in 27 new jobs. The company, which has created more than 110 jobs in 2012 through new store openings and store expansions, will be opening the new stores in Galway Shopping Centre and in Mallow.

Earlier today, Entercoms announced it is to create 30 new jobs in Mallow with the establishment of a European headquarters.

The new facility will create 30 highly skilled roles over a three year period, hiring specialised industrial engineers, scientists and business intelligence experts.

Minister for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock said the new jobs will provide a much needed boost to the local economy.

"This is the first time in many years that we have been able to attract high end jobs and a European Headquarters to the town."

Welcoming the announcement, IDA Ireland chief executive officer Barry O'Leary said: "Entercoms is a leading provider of aftermarket supply chain service support for companies in the industrial, medical, automotive and hi-tech sectors".

Established in 2004, Dallas-based Entercoms provides aftermarket supply chain to help companies improve operations, customer satisfaction and profitability.

Meanwhile, Synchronoss today announced they will begin the second phase of their hiring plan for the Research and Development and Operations centre in Galway.

The company is expected to create 30 new positions in Galway over the next three months. The positions will be in the areas of research and development, quality assurance and service delivery.