The Taoiseach has said October's Budget will need to strike a balance between being prudent and addressing urgent need.
Opening the 84th Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis in Dublin's Royal Convention Centre, Micheál Martin said the Government will have to "see what the general economic situation is at this new moment of uncertainty" when framing the Autumn's budget.
He said he understood the pressures facing families amid the rising cost of living.
"What I think it is important to say, is that we very much understand that pressures are being felt in many parts of society and on many families. We have provided significant help and are doing so in a way which is sustainable.
"I think people understand that this way is one which delivers far more - and does so in a way which provides permanent help," said Mr Martin in his opening speech.
The Taoiseach also made the commitment that by the end of the Coalition's term "the sustained investment in developing and improving mental health supports will be a defining achievement of this government".
Amid opposition criticism of the Government's moves to address the housing shortage Mr Martin defended his party's record - saying: "Since 2020, when we returned to Government, 177,000 houses and 50,000 apartments have been built".
The Taoiseach added that it cannot be ignored how important international events are to basically everything that happens here.
He reiterated that cooperation between countries, as well as strong, rules-based organisations, is to the benefit of everyone.
The Fianna Fáil leader said it is an uncomfortable truth that this country has to be able to defend itself against increasingly serious threats to its vital connections with the wider world.
"We have to significantly increase our level of capability to protect our under-sea gas, sub- sea cables, electricity and cyber connections.
"These are modern day threats the likes of which we could hardly have imagined even a few years ago, but they are a reality and we must and will deal with them," he said.
This year's Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis coincides with tomorrow's centenary of the party's foundation at the La Scala Theatre off Dublin's O'Connell Street.
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said he will attend the conference and has expressed annoyance that his comments on immigration have taken away from the event.
Speaking before the Ard Fheis began, Mr Martin said his party couldn't physically stop people from canvassing when addressing questions over Mr Ahern's continued involvement in the party's Dublin Central bye-election campaign.
Delegates will debate 101 resolutions over the next two days - including a call for a robust immigration system.
A vote will be held to give all party members a say in picking a Presidential candidate after Jim Gavin's controversial candidature last year.
The party is to also review current voting rules for future elections and selection processes.
A proposal will go to delegates to give more votes to party branches or cummain with more members. This could be significant in any potential future leadership contest, given Fianna Fáil membership is strongest in some counties along the western seaboard.
Fianna Fáil was once a dominant electoral force - remaining the largest party in the Dáil from 1932 to 2011.
However, it is now a much smaller entity after the party suffered record losses at the 2011 General Election over its handling of the economy.
The party returned to being the largest grouping in the Dáil after the 2024 General Election, with 48 seats, and is also the largest party of local Government.
Fianna Fáil remains in Coalition with Fine Gael - and is due to hand over the Taoiseach's office to Fine Gael next year.
Fianna Fáil currently competes in a much more competitive electoral environment and parties of the left - in particular Sinn Féin - as well as Aontú and Independent Ireland will all targeting Fianna Fáil votes at the next General Election.
